lentissimo

Lentissimo is a tempo marking in musical notation derived from the Italian lento, meaning "slow," with the superlative suffix -issimo forming the sense "very slow." As a tempo indication, lentissimo directs performers to play at an extremely slow pace relative to the surrounding material; it is not a precise metronome marking.

Its exact tempo depends on context and interpretation; it is generally slower than lento and often slower than adagio, though the intended speed can vary by style, era, and composer. Because tempo markings are inherently flexible, lentissimo serves more as expressive guidance than a fixed BPM.

Usage and history: The term appears in scores across periods from Baroque to modern, though it is less common than more established markings such as adagio or lento. It is typically reserved for passages that require a contemplative or solemn mood, sometimes to create a drastic contrast with faster sections.

Performance considerations: In practice, lentissimo may be realized with a nearly still tempo, careful phrasing, and sometimes rubato, depending on the musical line and accompaniment. Interpretation should balance legato singing and clarity of rhythm to avoid dragging.