The metronome is supposed to have been invented, or at
least perfected, by a Bavarian named Maelzel, about 1815, and for many
years the Maelzel metronome was the only one in existence. Hence the
letters M.M., still found in many scores, in connection with tempo
indications.]

[Sidenote: THE ITALIAN TEMPO TERMS]

Many instrumental compositions (particularly the older ones) are not
provided by the composer with definite tempo directions; and in this
case the Italian tempo terms usually give at least a clue to what the
composer has in mind. These terms do not of course give us the precise
tempo, but by indicating the _mood_ of a composition they at least
help one to determine the rate of speed (_adagio_--at ease;
_allegro_--cheerful; _largo_--large, broad; _andante_--going; _et
cetera_). A comprehensive knowledge of these terms from the twofold
standpoint of definition and derivation is indispensable to the
conductor. The most common of them are therefore defined at this
point. They are given in groups in order that the student may note how
much the various terms overlap in meaning.

THE VERY SLOWEST TEMPO
_larghissimo_ (superlative of _largo_)
_adagissimo_ (superlative of _adagio_)
_lentissimo_ (superlative of _lento_)

A VERY SLOW TEMPO
_largo_ (from Latin _largus_, meaning broad, large)
_adagio_ (at ease)
_lento_ (slow)

A SLOW TEMPO
_larghetto_ (diminutive of _largo_)
_adagietto_ (diminutive of _adagio_)

A MODERATELY SLOW TEMPO
_andante_ (going or walking)
_andantino_ (diminutive of _andante_ and therefore meaning
literally "going less," but because of a misconception
of meaning now often understood as meaning slightly
faster than _andante_)

A MODERATE TEMPO
_moderato_

A MODERATELY RAPID TEMPO
_allegro_ (cheerful)
_allegretto_ (diminutive of _allegro_; a little slower
than _allegro_)

A VERY RAPID TEMPO
_con moto_ (with motion)
_vivo_ (lively)
_vivace_ (vivacious)
_presto_ (quick)
_presto assai_ (very quick)

THE MOST RAPID TEMPO POSSIBLE
_prestissimo_ (superlative of _presto_)
_vivacissimo_ (superlative of _vivace_)
_allegrissimo_ (superlative of _allegro_)
_prestissimo possibile_ (hypersuperlative of _presto_)

The expressions given above are frequently used in c