It is mentioned as being fast at the tempo of a composition that is very fast.
Presto is a term that comes from the Latin praestus and can be used as an adjective or as an adverb . It can be used to name the characteristic of something that is done quickly or the condition of someone who acts diligently or who is willing to carry out an action.
For example: "When the coach called me, I was ready to enter the playing field" , "My grandfather is always ready to help those who need it" , "The young man was not ready to leave his house" .
Ready in music
In the context of music , the notion of presto indicates that the tempo of a composition is very fast . This means that the work that must be played presto has to be performed at a speed greater than 180 quarter notes per minute , although less than 200 (since, at more than 200 quarter notes per minute, the term prestissimo is used). In this case, the meaning of presto is associated with its Italian equivalent which can be translated as "fast" .
In general, this indication of speed of execution is usually associated with works of a certain virtuosity, although this is not always the case, since in music speed can be used to express anger, despair or extreme happiness , for example. Furthermore, a passage full of ornaments and with few silences (times in which no note should be played or sung) is not the same as one with simple melodies, although both must be played at the same speed.
A symphony can have a quick movement.
The movements
In works such as symphonies or motets, among others that consist of several parts (called movements ), it is common to identify each of them by the speed indication; In this way, it is possible to speak of the presto movement of a symphony instead of specifying its order number, for example, if the others have different velocities. The typical baroque concerto usually consists of three movements: the first and last with allegro indication and the second, adagio .
It is important to clarify that the speed indication of a work does not necessarily have to be respected. Each performer is free to make their own version, even if to do so must deviate considerably from what most musicians have done so far. In the same way, even when seeking to recreate the dynamics and atmosphere desired by the composer, all the notations referring to the speed and intensity of execution can be taken relatively, that is, establishing the value for one of them and then adjusting the rest as more comfortable or convenient for the instrumentalist.
I'm ready to change
In the world of magic and illusionism , especially in Hollywood 's portrayals of it, the expression presto Cambio (with its English equivalents presto change-o or presto chango ) is often used as part of the vocabulary of magical words.
In this case, it is used to refer to a sudden change that takes place in front of the public without them being able to understand how it occurred.
Other uses of the notion
"Presto" , on the other hand, is the title of a short film produced by Pixar that was released in 2008 . This work earned an Oscar nomination that year, which it ultimately did not win.
A software used in the engineering and construction sector is also called Presto . This program allows you to control costs, develop budgets and measure times, among other issues.
Prestó , with an accent on the O , is a conjugation of the verb lend (to give something to someone, who must then return it); more precisely, it corresponds to the third person singular in the simple past perfect tense: "Martín lent me Dan Brown's new book," "We must be grateful for the help that the neighboring country gave us in this natural catastrophe."