Louré

Louré (also called portato in Italian usage) is a bowing technique where multiple notes are played within a single bow stroke, but each note is clearly articulated by a slight pulse or weight change in the bow. The slur connects the notes; the louré marking gives each note its own definition.

The technique produces a singing, lyrical articulation. Each note has presence and individual identity, but the line remains smoothly bowed. The character is more lyrical than détaché (where notes are separated) but more articulated than legato (where notes are fully connected).

Louré is common in lyrical slow movements — Bach’s Air on the G String, Brahms’s violin sonatas, Schumann’s chamber works. It is indicated by a slur over notes that also have tenuto dashes underneath, similar to the indication for portato.

French, past participle of lourer, from lourd (‘heavy’). The implication is of giving each note slight ‘weight’.

Maintain the slur — do not change bow direction. Use slight pulses of bow weight to articulate each note within the stroke. The pulses should be gentle, not aggressive.