dallandamento

Dallandamento is an obscure term found in a small subset of Italian-language music-theory writings. It refers to a conceptual link between tempo (andamento) and other musical parameters, such as phrasing, rhythm, and melodic contour. The expression is usually written as dall’andamento or dall’andamento, reflecting its etymology from the Italian dall’ + andamento.

Etymology and scope: The word is a compound derived from dall’ (from the) and andamento (tempo or course). It is not part of standard musical vocabulary and has limited attestation in scholarly sources. Because it is not widely defined, its precise meaning varies by author and context, and it is not listed as a canonical term in major dictionaries of music theory.

Usage and interpretation: In the scarce literature where it appears, dallandamento is used more as a heuristic or descriptive frame than as a formal technical category. It is employed to discuss how tempo progression—such as accelerando, ritardando, or more subtle tempo curves—interacts with musical phrasing, articulation, and dynamic shape. In this sense, it can be contrasted with analyses that treat tempo as an independent parameter or with approaches focused on rubato and expressivity.

Attestation and reception: The term remains marginal in mainstream musicology and performance practice. It does not have a standardized definition or broad consensus, and care should be taken to interpret it within the specific analytic or pedagogical context in which it appears.

See also: Andamento, tempo, rubato, accelerando, ritardando.