What does ritenuto mean?
Ritenuto is an Italian musical term that refers to the practice of playing or singing with a sense of holding back or restraining the emotion. This can be used to convey a sense of sadness or longing, and is often used in slow or melancholic passages. In music, ritenuto is commonly used to add emotional depth to a performance, and can be used to create a sense of tension or drama. The term is often used in classical music, but can also be applied to other genres. Ritenuto is the opposite of allegro, which refers to a fast and lively tempo. By contrast, ritenuto is a slow and restrained tempo, often used to create a sense of introspection or contemplation. Overall, ritenuto is a powerful musical term that can be used to add depth and emotion to a performance.
adverbPlayed or sung with a sense of holding back or restraining the emotion, often with a sense of sadness or longing.
- Played or sung with a sense of holding back or restraining the emotion, often with a sense of sadness or longing.
"The singer's ritenuto delivery added a haunting quality to the ballad."
"The singer's ritenuto delivery added a haunting quality to the ballad."
"The conductor instructed the orchestra to play the final movement with ritenuto, emphasizing the sense of melancholy."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ritenuto
The term ritenuto is derived from the Italian verb ritardare, which means 'to delay' or 'to hold back'. This verb is also the source of the term ritardando, which refers to a gradual slowing down of the tempo. The term tempo rubato is also related to ritenuto, as it refers to a flexible and expressive tempo that can be used to create a sense of drama or tension. All of these terms are derived from the Italian language and are commonly used in music to convey a sense of emotion or drama.
How ritenuto is actually used
Ritenuto is often used in music to convey a sense of restraint or holding back, particularly in slow or melancholic passages. It is commonly used in classical music and can be used to add emotional depth to a performance.