Prestissimo

Prestissimo is a tempo marking in Western classical music indicating an extremely fast tempo, faster than presto. The word is Italian, formed from presto ("fast") with the superlative suffix -issimo, meaning "as fast as possible" or "very fast." In performance, prestissimo designates a pace at the upper limit of, or beyond, the typical fast category; the exact BPM varies by piece and edition, but it is generally around 200–220 BPM for a quarter note in many contexts, with some passages pushed even faster depending on style and technique.

Usage and interpretation: Prestissimo is often reserved for virtuoso passages, finales, or moments requiring heightened energy. It can be marked alone or as molto prestissimo, and it may be contrasted with slower tempos such as presto or allegro in the same movement. Because tempo markings are guidelines, performers adjust tempo to articulation, phrasing, and technical feasibility. Editions may also show accelerando into prestissimo or ritardando after such sections.

Historical and context: The term has been in use since the classical period and remains common in Romantic and modern scores. While "prestissimo" conveys speed, individual composers and performers interpret the marking within the musical style of the piece.