Rafforzando

Rafforzando is a musical term found in Italian notation that indicates a strengthening or reinforcement of the sound on a note or passage. In standard usage the term is rinforzando, from rinforzare meaning to reinforce; some scores may also show the variant spelling rafforzando, though this is less common and considered nonstandard.

In practice, rinforzando signals the performer to emphasize the marked note or chord, often with a sudden or gradual increase in volume and intensity, and sometimes lasting only for a single note or a brief group of notes. Common abbreviations include rf or rfz (rinforzando) and are used by composers to save space in the score.

Rinforzando is found across musical periods, from Classical to Romantic and contemporary, and is used in piano, orchestral, and chamber music. The exact effect depends on context and style; it is generally stronger than the surrounding dynamic but not necessarily as forceful as a sforzando (sfz). Interpretations may vary with tempo, articulation, and the surrounding dynamics.

As with other Italian dynamic markings, performers interpret rinforzando according to the musical situation, balancing emphasis with phrase shaping and overall texture. The term remains a common directive in many scores, serving to reassert focus on a moment of harmonic or thematic importance.