Larghetto

Between Largo and Adagio

The building block Tempo begins its series of tempo words with Largo (“broad, very slow”) and Adagio (“calm, slow”). Larghetto is not listed there; its place follows from how the word is formed: the diminutive of Largo, so a Largo that is slightly less broad. The bpm tables on the pages Tools and Rhythm do not list it; the values for Largo (40–60) and Adagio (66–76 according to the page Tools) frame it.

How far “slightly less broad” goes remains a matter of interpretation. The building block Tempo stresses that these words are elastic and leave room to the performer.

Two examples

Voice and piano

• Caro Mio Ben (Come Once Again) Attribution uncertain, usually ascribed to a Giordani · voice and piano · 3 pages

  “Larghetto.” is written above the first bar, in 4/4 time with two sharps. The voice rests at the start and the piano carries the first bars alone. In the piano part there is also “largamente” in italics.

Guitar

• Etüde Nr. 3 Fernando Sor, op. 35 No. 3 · guitar · 1 page

  “Larghetto” is written above the first bar, the time signature is 3/4. The étude has repeat signs.

Both pieces give only the word, no metronome number. The building block Tempo explains why that was originally normal: for a long time there was no objective measure of tempo, and an “Allegro” could come out noticeably different from player to player.