sostenuto
/ˌsɑstəˈnutoʊ/
adjective
- A musical direction meaning to play notes in a sustained, smooth, and connected manner, holding each note for its full duration.
- The composer marked the slow movement as sostenuto.
- She played the melody sostenuto, letting each note linger.
- The conductor asked the strings to play the passage sostenuto.
Synonyms
Antonyms
adverb
- In a sustained or connected manner (used as a musical instruction).
- The sheet music instructed the cellist to play sostenuto.
- The pianist held the chord sostenuto as the piece ended.
- He performed the piece sostenuto, with long, flowing phrases.