Largo
Definition. Very slow and broad — solemn, dignified, often the slowest standard tempo. Roughly 40–60 BPM.
Detailed Explanation
Largo is Italian for ‘broad’ or ‘wide’. As a tempo marking it indicates a slow tempo with a particular character: spacious, dignified, even majestic. Standard metronome charts place largo at about 40–60 BPM, similar to lento, but the affect is different — largo implies breadth and ceremony.
The most famous example is the ‘Largo’ from Handel’s opera Xerxes (the aria ‘Ombra mai fù’), so beloved that the term ‘Handel’s Largo’ became a popular concert standby. Dvořák’s ‘Largo’ from the New World Symphony is another iconic example: spacious, hymn-like, profoundly moving.
Largo movements typically have a sense of ritual or solemnity. The marking suggests that the music should not merely be slow — it should occupy space, with each phrase opening out grandly. Conductors often shape largo by gesture rather than counting, trusting the natural breath of the line.
Etymology
Italian, ‘wide, broad, ample’, from Latin largus (‘abundant, plentiful’).
In Practice
Don’t play merely slow. Play broad. Bows long, breath full, harmony savored. The texture should fill the room. A largo that feels narrow has missed the point.
Notable Examples
- Handel — Xerxes, ‘Ombra mai fù’ (‘Handel’s Largo’)
- Dvořák — Symphony No. 9 ‘From the New World’, second movement (the famous Largo)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Largo mean in music?
Very slow and broad — solemn, dignified, often the slowest standard tempo. Roughly 40–60 BPM.
Where does the word Largo come from?
Italian, ‘wide, broad, ample’, from Latin largus (‘abundant, plentiful’).
How is Largo performed in practice?
Don’t play merely slow. Play broad. Bows long, breath full, harmony savored. The texture should fill the room. A largo that feels narrow has missed the point.
What musical terms are related to Largo?
Related terms include: Larghissimo, Larghetto, Lento, Adagio, Grave.
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