Allegro ma non troppo is a musical term that is commonly used to indicate a specific tempo and character of a piece of music. Translated from Italian, it means ‘fast but not too much.’
The term ‘allegro’ signifies a lively and brisk tempo, generally faster than ‘andante’ but slower than ‘presto.’ When combined with ‘ma non troppo,’ which means ‘but not too much,’ it suggests that while the music should be played energetically, the performer should exercise some restraint and avoid playing too quickly or superficially.
This instruction can create a more nuanced performance, where the expressiveness of the music is preserved despite its lively pace. It encourages musicians to find a balance between speed and expressiveness, contributing to the overall character of the piece.