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lentissimo

Meaning of "Lentissimo" in Music

"Lentissimo" is an Italian musical term that translates to "very slow" or "extremely slow" in English. It is used as a tempo marking in sheet music to indicate that a passage or piece should be played at an exceptionally slow pace. The term "lentissimo" is derived from the Italian word "lento," which means "slow" or "slowly".

Tempo Range and Mood

When "lentissimo" is indicated in a musical composition, it typically suggests a tempo range of 20 to 40 beats per minute (BPM). This tempo choice creates a measured and unhurried rhythm, allowing each note to resonate fully. The slow pace imparts a sense of tranquility, contemplation, and serenity to the music. "Lentissimo" passages are often used to evoke emotions of introspection, beauty, and calmness.

Similar Terms and Notation

There are other tempo markings that indicate slow tempos in music. Some of these include "lento" (slow), "adagio" (quite slow), and "larghetto" (somewhat slow) However, "lentissimo" specifically denotes an even slower tempo than these terms. In sheet music, "lentissimo" is usually represented as the word itself or the indication "very slow" or "extremely slow".

Examples

One example of a musical composition that includes a "lentissimo" tempo marking is the third movement of Beethoven's String Quartet No. 16. In this piece, the score is typically marked "lento assai," meaning "very slowly".

Conclusion

In summary, "lentissimo" is an Italian musical term that signifies an extremely slow tempo in music. It instructs performers to play a passage or piece at a very slow pace, allowing for a measured and unhurried rhythm. This tempo choice imparts a sense of tranquility, contemplation, and serenity to the music, and it is often used to evoke emotions of introspection, beauty, and calmness.

An extremely slow tempo marking not quite as slow as Larghissimo. Lentissimo is around 40 beats per minute.

See more about tempo markings in the Appendix.

Popular questions related to lentissimo

in a leisurely manner; slowly.

Definition of 'lento' 1. slow(ly) often used as a musical direction.

much, very [Italian, much, very] An expression used to augment the directive to which it is applied. This term is often used to modify tempo markings in a composition. For example, the term allegro molto would mean that the indicated passage would be performed a very fast tempo, faster than allegro.

sad and pensive me·​sto. ˈme(ˌ)stō : sad and pensive. used as a direction in music.

Adagio – slow and stately (literally, “at ease”) (55–65 BPM) Adagietto – rather slow (65–69 BPM) Andante – at a walking pace (73–77 BPM)

A composer uses tempo to indicate mood. Music with an adagio tempo is usually gentle. Music with an allegro tempo often is happy and cheerful. Music with a presto tempo gives the listener a sense of lively action.

Grave – slow and solemn (20–40 BPM) Lento – slowly (40–45 BPM) Largo – broadly (45–50 BPM) Adagio – slow and stately (literally, “at ease”) (55–65 BPM)

Lento – slow (52–108 bpm) Andante – at a walking pace, moderately slow (56–108 bpm) Andantino – slightly faster than andante, but slower than moderato (80–108 bpm) (although, in some cases, it can be taken to mean slightly slower than andante) Marcia moderato – moderately, in the manner of a march (66–80 bpm)

Tutti is an Italian word literally meaning all or together and is used as a musical term, for the whole orchestra as opposed to the soloist. It is applied similarly to choral music, where the whole section or choir is called to sing.

Largo is an Italian tempo marking meaning 'broadly' or, in other words, 'slowly'.

coda, (Italian: “tail”) in musical composition, a concluding section (typically at the end of a sonata movement) that is based, as a general rule, on extensions or reelaborations of thematic material previously heard. Category: Arts & Culture.

​POCO, a little; rather; as poco adagio, not quite so slow as adagio itself; poco sostenuto, somewhat sustained. It is the opposite of Assai. Pochettino is a diminutive of poco and implies the same thing but in a smaller degree.

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