Definition

1. Adverb:

   • Extremely fast; as fast as possible: A musical term used as a tempo marking to indicate that a passage should be played at the greatest possible speed, even faster than presto.

2. Adjective:

   • (Of tempo) as fast as possible: Describing a musical tempo that is the maximum speed.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:

  • The final movement of the sonata is marked "prestissimo." (The composer instructs the musician to play it extremely fast.)
  • The violinist executed the difficult passage prestissimo, as the score required. (She played it as fast as possible.)

• Adjective:

  • The prestissimo finale left the audience breathless. (The extremely fast concluding section was thrilling.)
  • He struggled to maintain the prestissimo tempo set by the conductor. (Keeping up with the maximum speed was challenging.)

Advanced Usage

• As a noun: In musical contexts, "prestissimo" can also refer to a piece of music, or a section within it, that is to be played at this tempo.
  • The third movement is a dazzling prestissimo. (The third movement is a section played extremely fast.)

Variants and Related Words

• Presto (adverb/adjective): Very fast. "Prestissimo" is the superlative form, meaning "more than presto" or "the fastest."
• Tempo (noun): The speed at which a passage of music is played. "Prestissimo" is one of the fastest tempo markings.

Synonyms

• As fast as possible
• At top speed
• Extremely fast

Related Musical Terms (Contextual Equivalents)

• Allegro: Fast and lively.
• Vivace: Lively and fast.
• Presto: Very fast.
• Lento/Largo: Slow tempos, which are antonyms in musical context.

Adjective

1. (of tempo) as fast as possible

Adverb

1. extremely fast; as fast as possible
   • this passage should be played prestissimo