Vivacissimo: Very fast and lively (172–176 BPM)
Vivacissimo means very fast and lively, a tempo of roughly 172-176 BPM at the extreme upper edge of vivace.
Vivacissimo Metronome: 172 to 176 BPM
Press play to hear Vivacissimo at 174 BPM, or switch to the slow and fast ends of the range.
Loops until you press Stop. Beat 1 is accented so you can feel where the bar starts.
What Vivacissimo Means
Vivacissimo is the superlative form of vivace, demanding the utmost in liveliness and speed. It pushes performers to the edge of vivace territory, approaching presto speeds with an intensely animated character. This marking is relatively rare, as composers more commonly use presto for very fast passages.
Etymology
Italian, superlative of 'vivace', literally 'very vivacious'
BPM Range
Minimum: 172 BPM
Maximum: 176 BPM
Typical: 174 BPM
Build stamina and finger speed gradually. At vivacissimo, relaxation is key, tension will slow you down and increase the risk of injury. Keep movements economical and efficient.
Vivacissimo in Real Music
Vivacissimo is a rare marking, and its rarity is informative: composers who wanted this much speed generally wrote presto instead, or reached the same place by qualifying vivace. The territory shows up most often as molto vivace or assai vivace, as in the scherzo of Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata, marked Assai vivace, and the Molto vivace scherzo of his Symphony No. 9. Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor closes with an Allegro molto vivace that sits in the same range, its filigree passagework demanding absolute lightness of bow and left hand. Where the superlative form does appear it usually signals character as much as speed, telling a performer that the music should feel exhilarated rather than merely quick. At 172-176 BPM the practical constraints of the instrument start to dominate interpretation: string crossings, tonguing and finger repetition each have physical ceilings, and articulation choices that work at allegro simply do not speak. Players at this tempo group notes into larger gestures, feel a bar or half-bar as one unit, and prioritise economy of motion, since any excess movement compounds across a fast passage. Building up gradually from a slower tempo, with attention to relaxed hands, is the standard approach, because tension slows a player down long before technique does.
Example Pieces
- Piano Sonata No. 1, 4th movement (Prestissimo, vivacissimo character), Ludwig van Beethoven
- Violin Concerto in E minor, 3rd movement (Allegro molto vivace), Felix Mendelssohn
Common Genres
Related Tempo Markings
Frequently Asked Questions
What does vivacissimo mean?
Vivacissimo is the superlative of vivace, meaning 'very lively' or 'extremely vivacious.' It indicates a tempo at the upper end of vivace, around 172-176 BPM.
Is vivacissimo faster than presto?
No, vivacissimo is generally slightly slower than presto. It emphasizes extreme liveliness at around 172-176 BPM, while presto typically ranges from 168-200 BPM.
How fast is vivacissimo in BPM?
Vivacissimo is typically 172-176 BPM, around 174 BPM. That places it at the very top of vivace's 156-176 BPM range and just below presto, which begins around 168 BPM and reaches 200.
Is vivacissimo the same as allegrissimo?
They share the same 172-176 BPM range, but the character differs. Vivacissimo is the superlative of vivace and stresses extreme vivacity, while allegrissimo is the superlative of allegro and stresses brilliant liveliness.
Why is vivacissimo so rare?
Composers who wanted this speed usually wrote presto, or qualified vivace instead, as Beethoven did with the Assai vivace scherzo of the Hammerklavier Sonata and the Molto vivace of his Symphony No. 9.
Related References
Practise Vivacissimo at Any Tempo
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