Adagio

Adagio is an Italian musical term primarily indicating a slow tempo. More broadly, it refers to music that is played deliberately slowly, gracefully, and with great expression. This tempo typically falls between andante and largo, suggesting a pace that allows for the unfolding of melody and emotion with elegance and depth. The word 'adagio' itself also can be used to describe a piece of music in this tempo, or a slow movement within a larger work. Often characterized by sustained notes and flowing phrases, adagio sections provide moments of reflection and beauty within a composition.

Adagio meaning with examples

• The violinist played the adagio movement of the sonata with heartrending passion, drawing the audience into its melancholic beauty. The sustained notes seemed to hang in the air, conveying a sense of longing.
• After the frenetic allegro, the symphony's adagio offered a welcome contrast, allowing listeners to savor the delicate interplay of the instruments and appreciate the composer's artistry.
• During the ballet, the dancers performed an adagio, their movements fluid and expressive, telling a silent story of love and loss through their graceful turns and extensions.
• The film's score featured a particularly moving adagio during the most emotional scenes, underscoring the characters' vulnerabilities and heightening the impact.
• The choir's adagio rendition of the hymn was filled with such solemn beauty and the room was left silent and thoughtful at its conclusion.