Tempaus

Tempaus is a term used in musicology and performance practice to denote a temporary interruption or alteration of tempo within a piece. It describes a moment where the tempo slows, stalls briefly, or departs from the established pulse for expressive effect, without a permanent change in meter. The term is more about a practice or effect than a fixed musical symbol.

Etymology and usage context suggest a portmanteau of tempo and pause. It is found primarily in Nordic and some European educational and critical writing, where discussions of expressive timing are common. Tempaus is not universally standardized and may be described differently in different schools of thought or by various composers.

Notation and performance practice vary. There is no universal tempaus symbol in standard notation. In scores, tempaus may be indicated with explicit text marking or described in performance notes. In practice, performers might render a tempaus through rubato, a brief tempo modulation, or a controlled tempo decrease for a few beats, maintaining the overall meter. In digital audio workstations, tempaus can be implemented via tempo maps or automation that temporarily alters tempo before returning to the base pulse.

History and reception: tempaus as a defined concept gained visibility with late 20th-century to contemporary music, particularly in contexts that emphasize expressive timing and interpretation. Its use remains relatively specialized and is often discussed alongside related ideas such as rubato, tempo modulation, and expressive timing.

See also: rubato, tempo, tempo map, fermata.