What is the meaning of the musical term "largo"?

The term "largo" in music is derived from Italian and translates to "broad" or "wide," which indicates a slow tempo that emphasizes breadth of sound and space in the music. This term is often used to convey a sense of grandeur or expansive emotion. In practice, music marked as "largo" is typically performed very slowly, allowing for expressive playing and a deep sense of feeling in the interpretation.

Understanding "largo" as a term reflects its historical and stylistic context in music, where compositions intended to evoke deep emotions or serve particular lyrical qualities are often rendered at this slow pace. This contrasts sharply with terms that indicate faster tempos, which are meant to convey energy and movement. Thus, the identification of "largo" with the qualities of being broad and slow captures its essence accurately.