What does the term "cedez" instruct a musician to do?

The term "cedez" comes from the French musical direction meaning to relax the tempo. When a musician sees "cedez" in the score, it indicates that they should gradually slow down the tempo at that point in the music. This allows the performer to convey a sense of relaxation or a calming effect in the music, which can enhance the emotional expression of the piece. It is essential for musicians to accurately interpret tempo changes to achieve the intended character of the music, and understanding terms like "cedez" helps in achieving that expressive nuance.