Which tempo marking is described as Moderato expressive, meaning moderately with expression?

• A. Moderato expressive
• B. Andantino
• C. Vivace
• D. Allegro

Answer: (A)

Tempo markings tell you how fast to play and how to feel the music. Moderato indicates a moderate pace, and adding expressive tells you to shape the music with feel and phrasing within that pace. That combination—moderate speed with expressive playing—is exactly what Moderato expressive denotes, so it’s the best fit for “moderately with expression.”

Other terms point to different speeds: Andantino is slightly brisker than a walking pace, Vivace is lively and brisk, and Allegro is fast and cheerful. They don’t carry the explicit instruction to play with expression at a moderate tempo, which is why they aren’t the correct fit here.