Legatissimo

Legatissimo is the superlative of legato — extremely smooth, with maximum connection between notes. On piano, it can imply that successive notes are slightly overlapped, the previous note still ringing as the next begins. On strings, the slur is sustained through bow changes that are made invisible.

The marking is uncommon but appears in 19th-century piano music (Chopin, Liszt) and in slow movements of chamber music. The character is one of supreme legato — the line absolutely seamless, the listener unable to hear any join between notes.

The technical challenge varies. On piano, legatissimo is partly an illusion: pianos cannot truly sustain notes between key strikes, so the effect is created by careful timing of attacks and releases, often supported by pedal. On strings and winds, legatissimo means hiding bow changes and breath shifts perfectly.

Italian, superlative of legato. The -issimo suffix amplifies to maximum bondedness.

On piano, slightly overlap the notes — release the previous key just after attacking the next. Use pedal to fill any tonal gap. On strings and winds, eliminate audible breath or bow changes within the slur.