Pesante
Heavy, weighty
"Pesante" is an Italian term that translates to "heavy" or "weighty" in English, conveying the meanings of "gravity" or "ponderousness".
In music, "pesante" is an instruction used to guide performers to play with a heavy or weighty quality, evoking a sense of seriousness and substantiality.
In other words, when interpreting "pesante", performers should aim to create a musical performance that conveys a sense of weight and gravity, allowing the audience to experience a musical ambiance that reflects the heavy and substantial nature of the piece being played, often with deliberate pacing and emphasis on strong accents.
Example of Pesante
Symphony No. 10: IV. Allegro pesante. Niche zu schnell
Common Expression Markings
Musical Terms | Meaning |
Affettuoso | Affectionate, expressive |
Agitato | Agitated, restless |
Animato | Animated, lively |
Appassionato | Passionate, emotional |
Brillante | Brilliant, shining |
Brioso | Lively, vivacious |
Bruscamente | Abruptly, suddenly |
Buffo | Comic, humorous |
Cantabile | Singing, song-like |
Celere | Fast, quick |
Colossale | Colossal, enormous |
Comodo | Comfortable, convenient |
Con amore | With love, affectionately |
Con brio | With vigor, with spirit |
Con forza | With force, with strength |
Con fuoco | With fire, with passion |
Con grazia | With grace, with elegance |
Con moto | With motion, with movement |
Con spirito | With spirit, with energy |
Dolce | Sweet, gentle |
Doloroso | Sorrowful, painful |
Drammatico | Dramatic |
Energico | Energetic, forceful |
Espressivo | Expressive |
Feroce | Fierce, ferocious |
Festoso | Festive, joyful |
Furioso | Furious, violent |
Giocoso | Playful, joyful |
Grandioso | Grand, majestic |
Grazioso | Graceful |
Lacrimoso | Tearful, weeping |
Leggiero | Light |
Maestoso | Majestic |
Marcato | Emphasized, accentuated |
Misterioso | Mysterious |
Pesante | Heavy, weighty |
Risoluto | Resolute, with determination |
Scherzando | Jokingly, playful |
Semplicemente | Simple, plainly |
Slancio | Impulse, momentum |
Solitario | Solitary, lonely |
Sonore | Sonorous, resonant |
Sostenuto | Sustained, steady |
Sotto voce | Soft voice |
Tranquillo | Calm, peaceful |
Volante | Flying, light |