Adagissimo
Definition. The superlative of adagio — extremely slow.
Detailed Explanation
Adagissimo is the superlative of adagio: ‘extremely slow’. The marking is rare, used by composers who want to signal a tempo even slower than adagio or largo. Standard metronome charts do not assign a fixed range; in practice the speed is whatever the music can sustain without losing its sense of motion.
Late Romantic and 20th-century composers occasionally reach for adagissimo at moments of profound stillness or contemplation — the close of a long slow movement, a meditative bridge passage, a transitional fade. Mahler and Bruckner are the most famous practitioners.
At this tempo the danger is total stasis. Each note, each harmony, each silence must be alive — sustained by inner motion, by tension and release, by phrasing. Otherwise the music collapses.
Etymology
Italian, superlative of adagio. The -issimo suffix amplifies to the extreme.
In Practice
Practice subdividing internally — every quarter note feels like a phrase if the music is at adagissimo. Hear the next note before you play it; never wait passively. Vibrato, breath support, bow weight all become critical.
Notable Examples
- Mahler — Symphony No. 9, fourth movement (approaches adagissimo at the close)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Adagissimo mean in music?
The superlative of adagio — extremely slow.
Where does the word Adagissimo come from?
Italian, superlative of adagio. The -issimo suffix amplifies to the extreme.
How is Adagissimo performed in practice?
Practice subdividing internally — every quarter note feels like a phrase if the music is at adagissimo. Hear the next note before you play it; never wait passively. Vibrato, breath support, bow weight all become critical.
What musical terms are related to Adagissimo?
Related terms include: Adagio, Lentissimo, Larghissimo, Grave.
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