animataMENte

Animatamente is an Italian musical term used as an adverb to indicate that a passage should be played in an animated, lively manner. It conveys more than mere speed; it expresses character and vitality, typically in combination with a tempo marking.

Origin and form: The word derives from animato ('animated'), with the adverbial suffix -mente, yielding animatamente. It shares the same root as anima (soul, life) and is part of the extended set of Italian performance directions common in Western classical music.

Usage in scores: Animatamente appears in scores across periods, from classical to modern, and is commonly paired with tempo terms such as Allegro animatamente or Andante animatamente. It instructs performers to maintain energy, crisp articulation, and rhythmic buoyancy, sometimes with marked accents or phrasing that emphasize drive and eagerness.

Performance practice: As an expressive indication, animatamente guides interpretation more than a fixed tempo; musicians may adjust tempo within a broad range to retain the lively character. It is typically used in passages intended to sound spirited or excited.

Pronunciation: In Italian, animatamente is pronounced a-ni-ma-ta-men-te, with primary stress on the syllable before the final -te (ani-ma-ta-MEN-te).

See also: Animato and other Italian musical terms.