rallentando

Rallentando is a musical directive meaning to gradually slow the tempo over a passage. It is written in scores as rallentando or its abbreviation rall., and may be accompanied by a line or indication that the tempo should decelerate toward the end of the marked section. The extent and duration of the slow-down are typically left to the performer within the style and character of the music, and it often leads to a new tempo or returns to the original tempo.

Rallentando is closely related to ritardando; both instruct tempo reduction, but the terms carry different connotations. Ritardando (rit.) can imply a more immediate or shorter slowing, while rallentando suggests a more gradual, broad deceleration that may bridge to another tempo such as adagio or a tempo indication. In practice, composers and editors sometimes use the terms interchangeably, and the exact interpretation depends on context and performance tradition. Notation varies, with ritardando appearing as rit. and rallentando as rall. and sometimes a line indicating progressive slowing.

In performance, a rallentando is executed as a progressive decrease in tempo through the designated passage, often culminating in a tempo indication such as a tempo after the slowdown. It can be accompanied by expressive rubato, but should remain coherent with the music’s style. The effect may be subtle or pronounced, depending on tempo, texture, and character of the piece.

The term derives from Italian rallentare, meaning “to slow down,” with the present participle ending -ando. It has been used since the Baroque era and remains common in Classical, Romantic, and modern scores, understood by players across traditions.