adverb / noun
largo
LAR-goh/ˈlɑːrɡəʊ/
A slow, broad musical tempo or a passage played at that tempo.
The orchestra plays largo, giving each phrase room to unfold.
Etymology
Italian largo literally means “broad.” In musical directions, that breadth describes a slow, dignified pace, extending the idea of spaciousness to the way music unfolds.
More examples
- The pianist follows the lively opening with a solemn largo.
- These two largos require steady pacing and careful phrasing.
- The score tells us to play the final section largo.
Forms
largo · largos
Similar words
- adagio
- A slow tempo, generally somewhat faster and less broad than largo.
- lento
- Emphasizes slowness without necessarily suggesting the same breadth as largo.