"Larghissimo" is a musical term used to indicate an extremely slow tempo. This word is spelled as "lar-jis-uh-moh", and is pronounced as /ˌlɑrˈdʒɪsəˌmoʊ/. The IPA phonetic transcription indicates that the first syllable is pronounced with a slightly emphasized "ar" sound, followed by a softer "jis" sound. The last two syllables are pronounced as "uh-moh", with the stress on the second syllable. This word is commonly used in classical music compositions, particularly in orchestral pieces and operas.
Larghissimo is an Italian musical term that serves as a direction for tempo, indicating a painfully slow or extremely slow pace of performance. Derived from the Italian adjective "largo," which means broad or wide, and further intensified by the suffix "-issimo," which denotes a superlative degree, larghissimo signifies an even slower speed than largo.
As a tempo marking, larghissimo suggests an exceptionally leisurely tempo that requires the performer to prolong each musical phrase, giving it a supremely slow and solemn character. It is characterized by an exaggerated slowness that heightens the emotional intensity and creates a sense of profound gravity, profundity, or even timelessness in the music. Larghissimo is often used to express deep pathos, sublime tranquility, or intense emotional states.
When encountering the indication larghissimo in a musical score, a performer is expected to approach the piece with utmost patience and deliberation, meticulously sustaining each note and executing every phrase with an almost meditative slowness. This extended time frame allows for the music's expressive qualities to be fully savored and contemplated, enabling the performer to convey the intended emotional impact with great sensitivity. Larghissimo can be found across various music genres, such as classical, contemporary, religious, and film scoring, and is a testament to the power of extreme tempo choices in musical interpretation.
The word larghissimo is of Italian origin and is derived from the adjective largo, which means broad or wide in Italian. Larghissimo is the superlative form of largo, indicating that it is the slowest tempo direction in music. In musical notation, larghissimo typically denotes an extremely slow tempo, slower than largo or adagio.