Adagios

Adagios is the plural form of adagio, a term in classical music used to designate a slow, leisurely tempo or mood. The word derives from the Italian ad agio, meaning at ease. In performance practice, adagio sits between Largo (very slow) and Andante (moderately slow), typically around 66–76 beats per minute in common time, though actual tempos vary with style and interpretation.

In repertoire, adagios appear as both standalone pieces and as slow movements within larger works. They are often characterized by lyrical melodies, expressive dynamics, and a contemplative or intimate mood. Adagios frequently serve as the emotional or structural heart of a larger work, such as a sonata, symphony, or concerto, where the contrast with faster movements heightens impact.

Famous examples commonly associated with the term include Beethoven’s Adagio cantabile from the Pathétique Sonata, Barber’s Adagio for Strings, and the Adagio in G minor often attributed to Albinoni (though authorship is disputed). In larger orchestral works, composers may label a slow movement as Adagio, Adagio cantabile, or Adagietto, the latter meaning a somewhat shortened, fastidious form.

The concept of adagio extends beyond strict tempo markings to expressiveness and character. In later music, the term has been used more flexibly to indicate a slow, reflective style rather than a precise metronomic tempo, and it appears across genres, including film scores and contemporary classical music.