Pesante

What it means

Pesante means “heavy, weighty” and calls for a performance in which every note receives weight. The notes are attacked fully and sustained, the movement seems massive and definite, without lightness.

The marking concerns character and articulation. It affects the tempo, because a heavy performance does not hurry, but it does not fix it — even a moderate tempo can be played pesante.

Pesante differs from marcato, which accents every note, through weight: the accent can be light, the heaviness cannot. It differs from grave, which as a tempo word means a very slow tempo, in that it designates a manner of playing. The German equivalent is schwer or wuchtig.

In the notation

The word stands in italics above the staff and applies until a new marking. It often occurs together with tenuto strokes or accents on every note, in the low register, in unison passages, and with powerful dynamics.

Musical use

The marking is used in sections of a massive character: in heavy dance movements, in marches of a solemn or threatening tone, in unison themes, and in intensifications that demand force. In orchestral music it often stands over low strings and brass.

The instruction calls for a heavy, weighty performance with broad, accented notes. Every note receives weight, the articulation is distinct, and the tempo is rather held back. Pesante often stands in movements of a march-like or threatening character, in low registers, or with brass. String players play with much bow and pressure, pianists with arm weight. Bear in mind that heaviness must not become sluggishness: the music must, despite the weight...

Performance practice

Give every note full duration and weight, without pressing it. Attack the notes with arm weight, or with much bow or air. Avoid springy, short articulation. And keep the tempo steady — heaviness arises from an even gait, not from delay.