Largo

/ˈlɑːrɡoʊ/ noun

Definition

A musical tempo marking indicating the music should be played very slowly and with a broad, stately feeling.

Etymology

From Italian 'largo' meaning broad or wide, derived from Latin 'largus.' The term was adopted into English musical terminology in the 17th century as Italian composers dominated music notation.

Kelly Says

A largo isn't just about playing slow—it's about playing with space and breathing room, like the difference between someone slowly reading every word carefully versus someone just dragging their words; it's a feeling of grandeur and dignity.

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