plurissimo

Plurissimo is a musical dynamic marking used to indicate an extreme level of loudness and intensity, beyond fortissimo. The term comes from Italian plurimo with the superlative suffix -issimo, effectively signaling “the most extreme” level of sound, though its practical meaning is simply “as loud as possible within the music.”

Usage and frequency vary: plurissimo is relatively uncommon and not standardized across editions. When it appears, it generally asks for a level of projection and energy that surpasses fortissimo, sometimes approaching or exceeding the practical limits of an instrument or section. Editors and performers may substitute with the more explicit fff or an even stronger indication if the surrounding context supports it.

Context and function: the marking is typically used at climaxes or in dense, explosive textures—such as massed brass, percussion onslaughts, or overwhelming choral passages—where a sharp, decisive peak is required. It is not a routine dynamic but a stylistic tool chosen by composers to achieve a particular dramatic effect.

Notational considerations: plurissimo is written above the staff like other dynamics and is interpreted in light of tempo, articulation, and the acoustic environment. Performers must balance the desire for maximum intensity with musical clarity, safety, and articulation, ensuring that the extreme dynamic serves the musical purpose rather than becoming a substitution for raw volume.

See also: fortissimo, fortississimo, dynamics in musical notation, orchestration.