Starts off hard, and gently, with passion (8)

I believe the answer is:

ardently

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'with passion' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for ardently that I've seen before include "full of enthusiasm?" , "Passionately" , "With passion" , "with zeal" , "In a very passionate way" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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