Posted by Steve Sykes on September 06, 1999 at 12:14:17:
In Reply to: Re: Rall Vs Rit?? posted by Scott on September 04, 1999 at 21:43:29:
I hope I can throw some light upon this one.
Rallentando DOES mean 'slowing gradually' - I feel that in earlier postings there has been some confusion between the words Ritenuto and Ritardando.
Ritardando means the same as Rallentando i.e. becoming gradually slower.
However, Ritenuto means immediately slower, NOT gradually.
If a publication uses the abbreviation 'Rit' as well as 'Rall' I always take
it that 'Rit' means Ritenuto - and therefore I slow down with immediate effect.
Think of a driving a car down the motorway (highway!) at 65mph. In the distance
you see a red stop light and you gradually apply the brakes. This takes you down 65, 60, 55, 50 etc. You and your car have just performed a Rallentando!
If you see the red light at the last second and hit the brakes hard - taking you
from 65mph immediately down to 5mph you have just performed a Ritenuto (molto
!!!).
Hope this helps,
Steve Sykes.