interessando

Interessando is an Italian linguistic form derived from the verb interessare, meaning to interest or to involve. The present participle or gerund form interessando translates roughly as "interesting" or "engaging." In general usage, it describes something that arouses interest or attention. In musical contexts, however, interessando is a specific expressive marking rather than a literal translation of the verb.

In music notation, interessando is used as an Italian directive that instructs the performer to render a passage with a sense of interest or captivating character. It is not a tempo or dynamic marking, but a stylistic instruction that guides phrasing, articulation, and overall character. The marking is most associated with older or classical-leaning scores, where composers used a rich palette of Italian terms to shape expressive nuance.

Historically, interessando appears in scores from the Classical and Romantic periods, among other Italianate markings. Its exact interpretation is somewhat subjective and depends on context, instrument, and performer intent. A performer might emphasize a melodic line, add subtle rubato, or employ a refined tone to convey the sense of intrigue or engagement suggested by the marking. In modern editions, interessando may be retained for period authenticity or replaced by more explicit instructions such as espressivo or cantabile.

Beyond music, the word remains a standard Italian participle meaning “interesting” or “engaging.” In English-language music writing, an explanation of interessando typically notes its role as a character directive rather than a technical instruction.