rallentando
/ˌrælənˈtɑndoʊ/
adverb
- In music, a direction to gradually slow down the tempo.
- As the piece reached its end, the pianist played rallentando, drawing out the last notes.
- The orchestra followed the score's instruction to go rallentando over the next four bars.
- The conductor marked the passage to be played rallentando before the final chord.
Synonyms
Antonyms
adjective
- Describing a musical passage that is to be performed with a gradual slowing of tempo.
- The rallentando section gave the symphony a dramatic, lingering finish.
- The composer wrote a rallentando marking at the end of the second movement.
- She practiced the rallentando part carefully to keep the slowing smooth.