Forte (expression)

Forte ( Italian strong, loud), abbreviated f , is the dynamic counterpart to piano as a musical performance designation . Derived terms are:

• fortissimo ( ff ), very strong
• fortefortissimo ( fff ), extremely strong
• mezzoforte ( mf ), medium strength
• fortepiano ( fp ), strong and immediately quiet again (see accent )

In the literature, the rules forte and piano first appear in Giovanni Gabrieli ( Sonata pian 'e forte , 1597) and Adriano Banchieri ( Il Metamorfosi Musicale , 1600). Since around the 18th century, modifying epithets such as poco (something), molto (very), più (more), meno (less), quasi (almost), possibile (possible) have been added. With more manual strength keyboard instruments can forte and piano are required (different manuals terraced dynamics ). In newer music, the f occurs up to a fivefold increase in fffff ( Tchaikovsky : sixth symphony ).

See also

• sforzato
• sforzando
• rinforzando

literature

• Forte. In: Hugo Riemann , Alfred Einstein : Hugo Riemanns Musiklexikon . 11th edition. Max Hesses Verlag, Berlin 1929, p. 529 .
• Forte. In: Marc Honegger, Günther Massenkeil (ed.): The great lexicon of music. Volume 3: Elsbeth - Haitink. Updated special edition. Herder, Freiburg im Breisgau a. a. 1987, ISBN 3-451-20948-9 , p. 137.
• Forte. In: Willibald Gurlitt , Hans Heinrich Eggebrecht (Hrsg.): Riemann Music Lexicon (subject part) . B. Schott's Sons, Mainz 1967, p. 299 .