What is indicated by "D.C. al Fine" in a musical score?

"D.C. al Fine" is an Italian musical term that stands for "Da Capo al Fine," which translates to "from the head to the fine." In a musical score, this instructs the performer to return to the beginning of the piece (the "head") and play until reaching the point marked "Fine," which indicates the end of the composition or section. This instruction is commonly used in various musical forms to create a sense of repetition and closure in the music.

The other options do not reflect the meaning of "D.C. al Fine." For instance, starting to play softly pertains to dynamics, which is not relevant to this directive. Changing tempo would involve specific notation indicating a shift in speed, and pausing until instructed would suggest a halt rather than a directive to repeat sections of the music. Thus, the choice that highlights the process of returning to the start and continuing to a specific endpoint aligns perfectly with how "D.C. al Fine" is intended to be understood in a musical context.