Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Lively, briskly: Used as a musical direction to indicate that a passage should be performed in a brisk, lively, and spirited manner.
2. Adjective:
   • Lively, brisk: Describing a tempo or a piece of music that is very fast and lively.

Usage

• As an Adverb (Musical Direction): Instructs the performer on to play.
  • The composer marked the finale "vivace".
  • Play this section vivace!
• As an Adjective (Describing Tempo or Character): Describes the of the music.
  • The movement is marked with a vivace tempo.
  • It is a wonderfully vivace piece.

Examples

• Adverb:
  • The instruction "vivace" tells the orchestra to play with great energy.
  • She performed the sonata's third movement beautifully, observing the "vivace" marking.
• Adjective:
  • The concerto opens with a vivace theme that immediately captures the audience's attention.
  • His playing was perfectly suited to the composer's vivace style.

Advanced Usage

• In Musical Terminology: "Vivace" is an Italian term commonly used in Western classical music notation. It typically suggests a tempo faster than "Allegro" (fast and cheerful) and is often associated with a joyful, animated character.
  • The tempo indication "Allegro vivace" combines two terms to mean "fast and lively."
• Figurative Use (Less Common): Can be used metaphorically outside of music to describe something with a lively, brisk quality.
  • Her vivace personality lit up the room. (Note: This is a stylistic extension of the core musical meaning.)

Variants and Related Words

• Vivacissimo (adverb/adjective): A superlative form, meaning "very lively" or "very brisk."
  • The coda is marked vivacissimo.
• Vivacity (noun): The quality of being lively or animated.
  • The vivacity of the performance was infectious.

Synonyms

• Briskly (adverb)
• Lively (adverb/adjective)
• Spirited (adverb/adjective)
• Animated (adverb/adjective)

Antonyms

• Lento (adverb/adjective): Slowly.
• Adagio (adverb/adjective): Slowly and gracefully.
• Grave (adverb/adjective): Slow and solemn.

Adjective

1. (of tempo) very fast and lively

Adverb

1. lively, in music
   • play this section vivace!