Adagio is not only tempo

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Albinoni's "Adagio" is the most famous piece of music associated with human grief and the loss of a loved one. I wonder what "adagio" is, what meaning this term can have, is the word connected with the nature of the work? The word adagio comes from Italy. The translation of the term is "slowly" or "quietly". The meaning of the word "adagio" has several meanings. It all depends on where it is used.

Interpretation of the word "adagio"

The term was first discovered in the 15th century. It was translated from Italian as "calm", "at ease" and even "comfortable". Used to indicate the nature of the music.

In ancient musical works there are similar words from the Venetian dialect. They were spelled Adgio, Adago, Ado, Ad’, Adgo and Adasio.

Brossard's dictionary gives the following interpretation of the word: "comfortable, calm, always slowly, stretching the topic,drawlingly".

Sources of the 18th - early 19th centuries interpret the term as "convenient" or "calm".

Researcher Yavorsky explains that adagio does not mean “inert”, but means “calm”. Energy is concentrated in such an even and tense state, and then it turns into passion or into an active form.

At certain times the word meant "moderate pace". At the end of the 17th century, such a definition was given to him by Purcell, Wolf, Brossard, Corret. Among the characteristics one could read the following: "medium-slow, very slow, the slowest".

All disagreements are related to the fact that the tempo of music in the old days set the emotional subtext of the work, and not what was indicated next to the notes.

The most original meaning of the word was given by Drobish and Gunke. They translate the word as “old age” and indicate that it is necessary to perform the work “in an old man’s way slowly.” Most likely, Drobish and Gunke confused the Italian adagio with the French age, which means age.

Adagio in music

In music, this word denotes the tempo at which a part of a symphony, sonata, quartet or any other work must be performed. It indicates a rather slow pace, which is slower than andante, but livelier than largo.

If a composer uses the "adagio" part in his composition, this is a sign of talent. It can show all the creative potential. Examples include Beethoven and Albinoni, whose adagio is known to allpeace.

Adagio is a way of making a contrast between fast and boisterous movements.

Melodic bars - from 9/8 to 12/8.

Adagio in Moonlight Sonata

Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" is known to all people. Even those who are far from music remember perfectly the beginning of this masterpiece. A slow melody of magnificent beauty - "Adagio". This name was given to her by the author himself. There is evidence that Beethoven composed this part near the body of a deceased friend. This theme can be traced in different works of other composers. It was this part that became the most exciting and attracting the attention of millions.

Mournful Adagio

The musical work of the composer Remo Giazotto, called "Albinoni Adagio", is known to many because it is often used in funeral ceremonies. It was written for string instruments and organ. Created in 1958, the adagio is the most performed musical composition not only in the next half century. It was used in almost a dozen movies. A large number of songs and instrumental compositions have been written on its basis.

Remo Giazotto, who was writing a biography of Tomaso Albinoni, stumbled upon a small piece of music in a library in Dresden. On the basis of the available initial bars, Giazotto recreated, or rather, created his famous "Adagio".

Adagio in ballet

What is an adagio in ballet? This word is called the duet of the main characters of the lyrical content. Ballet adagios are wide, sing-song and romantic melodies. Part of the dance consists of smooth andwide movements.

Sometimes this is an independent dance episode in such dance forms as pas de deux, pas de trois, grand pas, pas d'axion.

Famous ballet adagios are parts from Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Spartacus.

In choreography classes there is a learning movement called this.

They begin to study it from primary school, complicating it from year to year with turns, duration and speed of execution, transitions. With the help of this exercise, children develop stability, the ability to confidently control the body, smooth hand movements. This dance form is useful for learning in male and female dance classes.