Adagio

Adagio ( ital. Adagio , “adagio” - slowly, calmly) - a slow musical tempo , the second degree of the main musical movements, faster than the largo (the slowest tempo), but slower andante .

Handel and the music of his time adagio was considered unconditionally slower than the largo.

In large works of instrumental music ( symphonies , sonatas , quartets ), the second or third part with such a tempo designation is usually found; Adagio is a necessary contrast to the rapid and rapid movement in the previous and subsequent parts.

The measure size should be large (9 / 8-12 / 8), referring, on the one hand, to a broad, melodious melody, and on the other to give place to variations of this melody. The faithful and experienced adagio show is a touchstone in the art of performing for every musician and singer. At the same time, adagio is an indisputable indicator of the degree of true talent, a sign of the composer's true talent, because both in the adagio and in the largo, full of internal musical content and richness of thought, the composer's talent and mastery are mainly found.

The same term refers to a melody or a slow part of a sonata, symphony or other piece of music that does not have its own name and is performed at this tempo (most often, the middle part).

In ballet, adagio is the slow part of the dance, accompanied by music of a quiet pace (not necessarily adagio in the musical sense), as well as independent, or which is the central part of a complex musical and choreographic form ( pas de deux , pas de trois , pas (axion , grand pa , etc.), dance number performed by one, two, or more soloists. In a classical dance lesson - an exercise at a stick or in the middle of the hall, consisting of a combination of various poses , body tilts, turns, rotations, etc. at a calm pace, the task of which is to develop stability, expressiveness, musicality, posture, harmony and smoothness transition from movement to movement.