fuggissimo

Fuggissimo is an Italian musical term used to indicate an exceptionally fugitive or swiftly moving passage. The word derives from the verb fuggire (to flee) and uses the superlative suffix -issimo, yielding roughly “extremely fugitive.” It describes a character of light, elusive, and rapidly moving figures rather than a precise tempo.

The term is relatively rare and not standardized in modern performance practice. It appears in some scores to signal a stylistic mood—rapid, fleeting figurations that seem to dart away. Because it is a qualitative indication rather than a fixed metronomic value, the exact speed depends on the context, the style of the piece, and the discretion of the performer and conductor. It is often encountered in virtuosic passages for piano, violin, flute, and other instruments where swift, nimble articulation is desired.

Fuggissimo is related to other fast or fugitive markings, such as presto, molto presto, or fugato, but it is distinct in its emphasis on a fugitive character rather than merely a high tempo. In many modern editions, editors may substitute a more explicit tempo marking to reduce ambiguity.