Ritardandi

Ritardando, plural ritardandi, is a tempo indication in Western classical music. Derived from the Italian verb ritardare ("to slow down"), it directs the performer to gradually decrease the tempo over a passage. The plural form ritardandi is used when several such slow-downs occur within a piece, or when referring to multiple marked sections.

Notation and usage: Ritardando is typically written as ritardando in full, or shortened to ritard. or rit. The slowdown continues until a new tempo is indicated, such as a new metronome mark or the instruction 'a tempo'. In practice, ritardando and rallentando are closely related terms and are sometimes used interchangeably, though some editors distinguish ritardando as a deliberate, measured deceleration and rallentando as a broader broadening of the tempo.

Interpretation and context: Ritardandi are commonly encountered across styles and periods, from Baroque to contemporary music. They serve expressive purposes, emphasizing phrasing, cadences, and climaxes; performers may apply rubato within the slowing section. Modern editions occasionally specify precise tempo targets to ensure consistency between performers, especially in ensemble settings.