ritenuto
- adjective
- /ˌriːtəˈnuːtoʊ/
- Specialized
:
ritenuto
- The pianist noticed the ritenuto marking and slowed the passage significantly.
Examples
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Be sure to play the final bars ritenuto to emphasize the ending.
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At the conductor's signal, the orchestra transitioned into a pronounced ritenuto.
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The pianist played the passage ritenuto.
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Was the piece marked ritenuto in the score?
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During the performance, the conductor instructed the musicians to play the section ritenuto, creating a beautiful moment of suspense.
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In the final movement, the orchestra played ritenuto, allowing the audience to feel the weight of the music's conclusion.
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As they approached the climax of the sonata, the composer marked the passage ritenuto to enhance the dramatic effect.
Synonyms
Gradually play more slowly to reduce the speed of the music
Gradually play the music more slowly
Gradually make the music slower
Played more slowly to make the music feel calmer
Antonyms
How Slow
Surface Forms
Etymology
Ritenuto comes from Italian parts ri- meaning 'back' and tenere meaning 'to hold', the same root you see in English retain. It literally means 'held back', so in music it tells players to slow down or hold the beat back.