Performance
Placido
Calm, placid.
What it means
Placido is an Italian performance direction meaning "calm, placid". It calls for a peaceful, balanced and unexcited expression. The form placidamente ("calmly, placidly") also occurs. The marking refers to character, not to a fixed tempo, but is often linked with moderate tempi.
Musical use
The direction is found in lyrical, calm sections of piano pieces, songs and chamber music. Placido should be distinguished from tranquillo (also "calm", with still more emphasis on stillness), from dolce (soft, sweet) and from piano, which denotes only volume.
Performance practice
Play placido with an even flow and a soft touch. Avoid sudden accents and hold the phrases together calmly; the composure should be audible without going limp.