FR calme character common Support my free tools
How is calme played?
The performer plays in a settled, untroubled way, the French equivalent of Italian tranquillo. It appears frequently in French repertoire, where composers favoured their own language for expressive nuance, and functions as a character indication rather than a tempo. It may stand alone or modify a tempo or expression phrase. It signals restraint — the line should breathe rather than press forward.
How does calme sound?
The passage sounds tranquil and unhurried, with gentle, unforced delivery.
In context
Calme is the ordinary French adjective for 'calm/quiet' used as an expressive marking; it corresponds directly to Italian tranquillo. It is a generic character word and is not the property of any one composer, though it is idiomatic in French scores.
Equivalent terms
- IT tranquillo (near equivalent)
- DE ruhig (near equivalent)
- EN calm