animando

Animando is an Italian musical term meaning animated, lively, or spirited. It derives from the verb animare, to enliven or energize, and is used as a performance directive rather than a strict tempo indication.

In practice, animando functions as a mood or character instruction, signaling that a passage should be played with increased energy and momentum. It can appear by itself or be attached to a tempo marking, as in phrases like allegro animando, where the music should become more animated while maintaining a relatively brisk pace. The exact effect depends on the composer’s intent and the context of the music.

The term is most common in classical and Romantic-era scores, when Italian musical expressions were widely used to convey character and expressive direction. In modern editions, animando is less frequent, having often been replaced by explicit tempo changes or more precise performance instructions. When encountered, it is typically treated as a qualitative cue that informs articulation, phrasing, and overall energy.

Related terms include animato, which also signals an animated style but is often used to describe a more sustained or lyrical sense of movement. Both terms reflect a broader tradition of Italianate markings that guide expressive delivery in instrumental and vocal repertoire.

See also: animato; tempo markings; expressive directives in musical notation.