ENGLISH
REFERENCE

accelerando

n. countable
C1 Advanced UK //ɐksˌɛləɹˈændəʊ// ac·celeran·do

n. a musical instruction that tells a musician to play faster and faster. It is often written as 'accel.' in the sheet music.

n. a musical direction indicating that the tempo should increase gradually. Often abbreviated as 'accel.' in scores and parts.


SIMPLE

The violinist played the final phrase with an accelerando.

CONTEXTUAL

The conductor signaled for an accelerando, prompting the entire orchestra to speed up the tempo toward the end of the movement.

COMPLEX

The composer uses a sudden accelerando to create a sense of urgency, contrasting the previous slow, deliberate passages and leading into the final, triumphant climax.

Origin

Borrowed from Italian accelerando, from Latin accelero.

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