Lento
Definition. Slow — slower than adagio, but with a less stately character. Roughly 40–60 BPM.
Detailed Explanation
Lento is Italian for ‘slow’. As a tempo marking it indicates a slow speed, generally slightly slower than adagio though the difference is fluid. Conventional metronome charts place lento at about 40–60 BPM.
Lento differs from adagio in character as much as speed. Where adagio implies leisurely ease and dignity, lento is more neutral — it simply means slow. Some composers prefer lento for slow movements that are not particularly lyrical or stately, but rather contemplative, dark, or stark.
The marking is common in 20th-century music, where composers have used it as a more clinical alternative to adagio. Bartók, Stravinsky, and Shostakovich all reach for lento when they want slowness without the Romantic baggage of adagio.
Etymology
Italian, ‘slow, sluggish’, from Latin lentus (‘pliant, slow, sticky’).
In Practice
Use lento for slow music that does not want to sound noble or lyrical. The character is more neutral — slow because the music needs space, not because it has something stately to say.
Notable Examples
- Chopin — Various nocturnes (frequent lento markings)
- Bartók — Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta (first movement Andante tranquillo, second Lento)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lento mean in music?
Slow — slower than adagio, but with a less stately character. Roughly 40–60 BPM.
Where does the word Lento come from?
Italian, ‘slow, sluggish’, from Latin lentus (‘pliant, slow, sticky’).
How is Lento performed in practice?
Use lento for slow music that does not want to sound noble or lyrical. The character is more neutral — slow because the music needs space, not because it has something stately to say.
What musical terms are related to Lento?
Related terms include: Adagio, Largo, Lentissimo, Grave.
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