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rallentando

rallentando

9.9
Gradually make the music slower
  • adjective
  • /ˌrælənˈtændoʊ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : rallentando
  • The pianist played the final bars rallentando, drawing out the emotional impact of the piece.

Examples

  • The orchestra responded perfectly to the conductor's signal for rallentando in the closing measures.

  • In the score, the composer marked a rallentando just before the ending.

  • Play rallentando.

  • The conductor said, 'Go rallentando!'

  • In the score, the composer marked a rallentando just before the ending.

  • The pianist played the final bars rallentando, drawing out the emotional impact of the piece.

  • The orchestra responded perfectly to the conductor's signal for rallentando in the closing measures.

Synonyms

ritardando
vsrallentando
  • Specialized
8.9

A gradual slowing of the music's speed

is the same direction expressed by a different word
rit.
vsrallentando
  • Specialized
8.1

Gradually play more slowly to reduce the speed of the music

is the full written form rather than an abbreviation
to ritard
vsrallentando
  • Specialized
9.0

To make the music slower gradually

is the notation term used on the score instead of a verb
calando
vsrallentando
  • Specialized
9.9

Gradually becoming slower and softer in sound

only reduces tempo without also lowering volume
allargando
vsrallentando
  • Specialized
9.9

To slow down gradually and sound broader and fuller

just slows tempo without adding broader style

Antonyms

accelerando
  • Specialized
9.1

To play music gradually faster

How Slow

allargando
  • Specialized
9.9
rallentando
  • Specialized
9.9
ritardando
  • Specialized
8.9
ritard
  • Specialized
9.0

Surface Forms

rallentando positive

Etymology

Rallentando comes from the Italian verb rallentare, built on lento meaning 'slow' and the ending -ando, which works like English '-ing' and means 'becoming'. So in music rallentando tells players to 'become slow', that is, to slow down gradually.