Definition

Adjective 1. (Music: tempo marking) Extremely slow and broad; the slowest tempo indication in music, even slower than largo.

Usage

• Larghissimo is a specialized musical term used as a tempo marking in sheet music to instruct the performer to play a passage at an extremely slow and broad pace. It is the superlative form of .
• It is typically written in Italian above the staff at the beginning of a section.

Examples

• The final movement of the symphony is marked larghissimo, creating a profound and solemn atmosphere.
• The composer used larghissimo to emphasize the tragic weight of the funeral march.
• Playing this section larghissimo requires exceptional breath control from the wind players.

Advanced Usage

• As a descriptive term: While primarily a directive, it can be used descriptively to discuss the character of a piece. For example, "The larghissimo opening feels timeless and expansive."

Variants and Related Words

• Largo (adj., adv.): Slow and broad; the base tempo from which is derived.
• Larghetto (adj., adv.): Slightly faster than , but still slow and broad.
• Adagissimo (adj., adv.): Another term for extremely slow, similar in meaning to .

Synonyms

• Extremely slow
• Very broad
• As slow as possible (in a musical context)

Antonyms

• Prestissimo (as fast as possible)
• Vivacissimo (very lively and fast)
• Allegrissimo (very fast and cheerful)

Adjective

1. (of tempo) as slow and broad as possible