Why did Beethoven use words for the tempo marking and not the actual BPM (Beats per minute) number?
There were no stable metronomes in his day
He was deaf
He was fluent in Italian
He was ahead of his time
There are multiple reasons why Beethoven used words for the tempo marking rather than the actual BPM number:
1. Lack of Stable Metronomes: During Beethoven's time, metronomes were not as accurate or stable as they became in later years. Using an actual BPM number would have been challenging due to the inconsistency of tempo measurements provided by the available metronomes.
2. Deafness: Beethoven experienced progressive hearing loss throughout his life, and by the time he composed many of his later works, he was completely deaf. As he could not physically perceive the sound, it would have been difficult for him to accurately determine the exact BPM number.
3. Linguistic Influence: Beethoven was well-versed in Italian, which was a common language used in music notation at the time. Italian terms for tempo markings, such as Allegro or Adagio, carried specific meanings and conveyed a sense of musical expression that could be more effective than simply stating the BPM number.
4. Artistic Expression: Beethoven was known for his innovative and expressive approach to music. By using descriptive words for tempo markings, he had the freedom to indicate not only the speed but also the character, mood, and emotion he intended for the music. Words offer a more nuanced and evocative description than a mere number.
In summary, Beethoven's choice to use words for tempo markings instead of specific BPM numbers was influenced by the limitations of the era's metronomes, his deafness, his linguistic knowledge, and his desire for artistic expression.