| Glossary of German Instructions in Gustav Mahler's Music |  |
|
|
German |
English |
|
|
ab |
off |
|
|
abdämpfen |
to dampen |
|
|
aber |
but |
|
|
abnehmend |
waning |
|
|
abreissen |
break off |
|
|
acht |
eight |
|
|
Acht (upper-case A) |
caution |
|
|
alle |
All |
|
|
allmählich |
gradually |
|
|
als |
like, than, as (depending on context) |
|
|
alt, (alt-)* |
old |
|
|
am |
at the |
|
|
an |
to |
|
|
andern |
others |
|
|
ändern |
to change |
|
|
Anfang |
beginning |
|
|
Anfangstempo |
beginning tempo (opening tempo) |
|
|
angebunden |
(played) together |
|
|
Anmerkung |
note |
|
|
anmuthig |
gracefully |
|
|
anschwellend |
to intensify (crescendo) |
|
|
anschlagen |
to strike (a note or an instrument) |
|
|
As |
A-flat (pitch name) |
|
|
auf |
on, for |
|
|
aufgehoben (aufgeh., aufg.) |
raised |
|
|
aufgestellt |
placed |
|
|
Auftakt |
Upbeat (arsis) |
|
|
aus |
from |
|
|
(sich) ausbreitend |
broadening out |
|
|
Ausdruck |
expression |
|
|
ausdrucksvoll |
expressive |
|
|
ausgeführt |
played |
|
|
aushalten |
to sustain |
|
|
B |
B-flat (pitch name) |
|
|
Bässe, |
double basses |
|
|
bedächtig |
deliberately |
|
|
Becken |
cymbals |
|
|
befestigt |
attached |
|
|
beginnen |
to begin |
|
|
behaglich |
comfortably |
|
|
bei |
on, with |
|
|
beide |
both |
|
|
beinahe |
almost |
|
|
besonders |
especially |
|
|
Betonung |
emphasis |
|
|
bewegt |
animated, agitated |
|
|
bewegter |
more motion (più mosso) |
|
|
Bewegung |
motion, tempo |
|
|
bezeichnet |
marked |
|
|
bis zum |
until the |
|
|
bitterlich |
bitterly |
|
|
bleiben |
to remain |
|
|
bleibt |
(it) remains |
|
|
Bogen |
bow (can also refer to a sheaf of paper or a tie) |
|
|
Bratsch, Bratsche |
viola, violas |
|
|
brechen |
to arpeggiate |
|
|
breit |
broad, broadly |
|
|
breiter |
more broadly |
|
|
Celli |
cellos |
|
|
Cis |
C-sharp (pitch name) |
|
|
Consonanten (Konsonanten) |
consonance |
|
|
Dämpfer |
mute, mutes, muting |
|
|
das |
the or that or which (depending on the context) |
|
|
dasselbe |
the same |
|
|
dem, den |
the (oblique case form) |
|
|
der |
the (masculine); of the (genitive) |
|
|
Des |
D-flat (pitch name) |
|
|
deutlich |
clearly |
|
|
Dies (dies-) |
this |
|
|
Dirigent |
conductor |
|
|
dirigiren |
to conduct, to lead |
|
|
Dis |
D-sharp (pitch name) |
|
|
doch |
but (can also be used to intensify an expression) |
|
|
Doppelgriff (Doppigr.) |
double-stop |
|
|
Drängend |
pressing |
|
|
drängender |
more pressing |
|
|
drei |
three |
|
|
dringen |
to press or force |
|
|
dringend |
pressing |
|
|
dumpf |
muffled, dull |
|
|
durch |
through |
|
|
durchaus |
throughout |
|
|
dben |
just previously |
|
|
dbenfalls |
likewise |
|
|
dbenso |
just as |
|
|
Echoton |
echo tone |
|
|
edle (edel) |
noble, exalted |
|
|
eilen |
to hurry, to rush |
|
|
(ohne zu) eilen |
without hurrying |
|
|
eilend |
hurrying |
|
|
ein (ein-) |
a, one |
|
|
einer, eines, |
one of a ... |
|
|
einige |
several |
|
|
(sich) entfernend |
becoming distant (fainter) |
|
|
Entfernung |
distance |
|
|
Empfindung |
feeling, emotion |
|
|
empfunden |
(deeply) felt |
|
|
entschieden |
to decide (resolve) |
|
|
erste (erst-) |
first |
|
|
ersterbend |
dying away |
|
|
Es |
E-flat (pitch name) |
|
|
etwas |
somewhat |
|
|
Fagott |
bassoon |
|
|
Ferne |
distance |
|
|
feurig (feurig-) |
Fiery |
|
|
Fidel |
fiddle (medieval) |
|
|
Figuren |
Figures |
|
|
Fis |
F-sharp (pitch name) |
|
|
Flag. |
harmonics |
|
|
fliessend |
flowing |
|
|
folgend |
following, in keeping with |
|
|
fort. |
continuing |
|
|
fortlaufend (fortlaufend-) |
continuing |
|
|
frei |
frei, freely |
|
|
freihängend |
suspended |
|
|
frisch, |
vigorous, lively |
|
|
früher, |
earlier, previous |
|
|
fünf |
Five |
|
|
für |
for |
|
|
furchtbarer |
formidable |
|
|
ganz (ganz-) |
full |
|
|
gänzlich |
completely |
|
|
gebrochen |
arpeggiated |
|
|
gebunden |
legato (literally, together) |
|
|
gedämpft |
dampened, muted |
|
|
gedehnt |
drawn out, extended |
|
|
gehalten(en) |
held, held back |
|
|
gehalten |
more restrained |
|
|
geheimnisvoller |
mysteriously |
|
|
gehen |
to go |
|
|
Geiger |
violin |
|
|
gemächlich |
easily (comodo) |
|
|
gemachlicher |
more easily (piü comodo) |
|
|
gemässigt(e) |
moderately |
|
|
geringste |
briefest |
|
|
gerissen |
cut off |
|
|
Ges |
G-flat (pitch name) |
|
|
gesangvoll |
lyrically (cantabile) |
|
|
gesättigten |
saturated |
|
|
geschlagen |
struck |
|
|
gestimmt |
tuned |
|
|
gestopft (gest.) |
muted, stopped |
|
|
gestlichen |
bowed |
|
|
gesungen |
sung |
|
|
Getheilt (geth.) |
divided (divisi) |
|
|
getragen |
solemnly |
|
|
Gewalt |
force |
|
|
gewirbelt |
rolled |
|
|
gewöhnlich |
usual, normal, customary |
|
|
Gis |
G-sharp (pitch name) |
|
|
gleich |
equal, similar, immediate (depending on context) |
|
|
gleichmässig |
even |
|
|
grell |
shrill |
|
|
Gr. Ft. |
flute |
|
|
Griffbrett |
fingerboard, sul tasto |
|
|
grob |
coarsely, rudely |
|
|
gross (gross-), |
great, large |
|
|
grösser (grösser-) |
larger |
|
|
H |
B-natural (pitch name) |
|
|
Halbe |
half (by half-notes) |
|
|
Hälfte |
half (section, as in half the strings) |
|
|
Halt |
stop, pause |
|
|
Hast |
haste |
|
|
Haupttempo, principal tempo |
principal tempo, main tempo |
|
|
herausgestossen |
thrust out |
|
|
hervortretend, hervortr. |
prominently |
|
|
hier |
here (location) |
|
|
von hier an |
from this point |
|
|
hinaufziehen |
to approach from above |
|
|
hinunterziehen |
to approach from below |
|
|
hoch |
high |
|
|
höchster |
highest |
|
|
In die Höhe |
in the air |
|
|
höher |
higher |
|
|
Holzbläser |
woodwinds |
|
|
Holzschlägeln |
wood blocks |
|
|
hörbar |
audible |
|
|
im (in dem) |
in |
|
|
immer |
always |
|
|
ja |
affirmative (also used to intensify a statement) |
|
|
kaum |
hardly |
|
|
keck |
boldly |
|
|
kein, keine |
no, not (negation) |
|
|
klagend |
lamenting |
|
|
Klang |
sound |
|
|
Klavier |
piano |
|
|
Klavierauszug |
piano reduction |
|
|
Klein (klein-) |
small |
|
|
klingen (klingt) |
to sound (it sounds) |
|
|
Kopftstimme |
head voice |
|
|
Kraft |
strength |
|
|
kurz |
short |
|
|
kürzer |
shorter |
|
|
Lage |
position |
|
|
lang, lange |
long |
|
|
langhallenden |
reverberant |
|
|
langsam, langsamer |
long, longer |
|
|
sich lassen (e.g. klingen lassen, sich Zeit lassen, etc.) |
to let (for example, to let ring, to allow time, etc.) |
|
|
lebhaft |
lively |
|
|
leidenschaftlich |
passionately |
|
|
leise |
lightly |
|
|
letzten |
last (previous) |
|
|
lustig |
merrily |
|
|
Marsch |
march |
|
|
mehr |
more |
|
|
mehrfach besetzt |
several to a part |
|
|
merklich |
markedly |
|
|
mit |
with |
|
|
mittlere |
middle |
|
|
möglich |
possibly |
|
|
munter |
cheerfully |
|
|
Musiker |
Musician |
|
|
nach |
according to; after (depends on context) |
|
|
nachgeben |
to let up (figurative) |
|
|
nachlassen |
to relax |
|
|
Nachschlag (abbreviated Nachschl.) |
turn (ornament) |
|
|
nachahmen |
to imitate |
|
|
sich nähern |
to draw near |
|
|
Naturlaut |
natural sound |
|
|
natürlich |
naturally |
|
|
ehmen (nimmt) |
to take (takes) |
|
|
eun |
nine |
|
|
nicht |
not (negation) |
|
|
noch |
yet, still |
|
|
Note |
notes (notation) |
|
|
Notfall (nur im Notfall) |
necessity (only if necessary) |
|
|
nur |
only |
|
|
offen |
open |
|
|
ohne |
without |
|
|
Oktav (Oktave) |
octave |
|
|
Orchester |
orchestra |
|
|
Piston |
cornet |
|
|
plötzlich |
suddenly |
|
|
Pralltrill, Pralltriller |
mordent (ornament), mordents |
|
|
Posaune |
trombone |
|
|
Pult, Pulte |
desk or stand, desks or stands |
|
|
recht |
right (direction or correctness, depending on the context) |
|
|
Rhythmus |
rhythm |
|
|
roh |
rough |
|
|
Rücksicht |
regard (perspective) |
|
|
ruhevoll |
peaceful |
|
|
ruhig |
calmly |
|
|
Saite |
string |
|
|
sanft |
softly |
|
|
Satz |
movement |
|
|
Schalltrichter (Schalltrichter auf) |
bells (bells up) |
|
|
Schlägeln |
mallets |
|
|
schlagen |
to hit, to strike |
|
|
schleppen |
to hold back, to drag |
|
|
Schluß |
end, ending |
|
|
schmetternd |
blaring |
|
|
schnell, schneller |
fast, faster |
|
|
Schwammschlägeln |
sponge mallets |
|
|
schwer |
heavily |
|
|
Schwung |
energy |
|
|
schwungvoll |
enthusiastically |
|
|
sehr |
very |
|
|
seben |
seven |
|
|
sechs |
six |
|
|
selben |
the same |
|
|
sofort |
immediately (directly) |
|
|
Sord, Sordinen |
mute, mutes |
|
|
Spieler |
player |
|
|
spring. Bog. |
sautillé (string technique) |
|
|
stark, stärker |
strong, stronger |
|
|
stärker besetzt |
literally, made stronger, and in context, more players to a part |
|
|
Steg |
bridge (on string instruments) |
|
|
steigernd |
intensifying |
|
|
Steigerung, Steigerungen |
increase, increases |
|
|
stetig |
steadily |
|
|
Stimme |
voice or part (depending on the context) |
|
|
Streich, Streicher |
String, strings |
|
|
streng |
strictly |
|
|
Strich (Strich für Strich) |
bowstroke (one stroke for each note) |
|
|
stürmen |
to rage |
|
|
stürmisch |
stormily |
|
|
Symphonie |
Symphony |
|
|
Takt |
beat or measure (depending on the context) |
|
|
taktieren (taktiren) |
to beat, to conduct |
|
|
Tellern (mit Tellern) |
cymbals (with cymbals) |
|
|
Tempowechsel |
tempo change |
|
|
Theil, Theilen (modern spelling omits the h) |
Part or parts, section or sections (depending on the context) |
|
|
tief , teife |
deep or low |
|
|
Ton, Töne |
sound, sounds |
|
|
Tonhöhe |
Register |
|
|
Triangel |
triangle |
|
|
Triangelschlägel |
triangle beater |
|
|
Triller |
trill |
|
|
Triolen |
triplets |
|
|
Über |
over |
|
|
Übergang |
transition |
|
|
übernehmen, übernimmt |
takes over, changes over |
|
|
überraschend |
surprisingly |
|
|
übertonen |
to rise above (drown out) |
|
|
und |
and |
|
|
ungefähr |
about, approximately |
|
|
unmerklich |
imperceptibibly |
|
|
Unterstützung |
support |
|
|
verändern |
to change |
|
|
verdoppelt |
double |
|
|
verhallend |
disappearing |
|
|
verklingend |
fading away |
|
|
Verlauf |
course |
|
|
verlierend |
fading away |
|
|
Vermittlung |
transition |
|
|
verschwindend |
disappearing |
|
|
versehen |
to provide |
|
|
vibrirend (vibrierend) |
vibrating or with vibrato |
|
|
viel |
many, much |
|
|
vier |
four |
|
|
Viertel |
quarter (as in quarter note) |
|
|
Vokal |
vowel |
|
|
vollziehen |
to execute |
|
|
vom (contraction of von dem) |
by |
|
|
vorgetragen |
played |
|
|
vorhanden |
to be present |
|
|
vorher |
before |
|
|
vorhin |
before |
|
|
Vorschlag, Vorschläge |
grace note, grace notes |
|
|
vorwärts |
forwards |
|
|
wechseln |
to change |
|
|
weich |
soft, gentle |
|
|
weit, weiter, weitest |
far, farther, farthest |
|
|
welche |
which |
|
|
wenig |
little |
|
|
wenn |
if |
|
|
werden |
to be |
|
|
wichtig |
important |
|
|
wie |
as |
|
|
wieder |
again |
|
|
Wiederholung |
repetition |
|
|
wild |
“wild” – unrestrained |
|
|
womöglich |
as possible as |
|
|
Wort, Worte |
word, words |
|
|
wuchtig, wuchtiger |
heavily, more heavily (connotes force) |
|
|
zart |
gently |
|
|
zehn |
ten |
|
|
Zeit |
time |
|
|
zögernd |
hesitating |
|
|
zu |
to |
|
|
zuerst |
first |
|
|
zufahrend |
pressing |
|
|
zuletzt |
just before |
|
|
zum |
to the |
|
|
zur |
to the |
|
|
zurückhaltend |
held back, restrained |
|
|
zurückkehrend |
returning |
|
|
zwei |
two |
|