adagio

Adagio comes from the Italian ad agio, meaning at ease. At 66–76 BPM, it gives performers space to shape long, expressive phrases. Many of the most beloved slow movements in classical music carry this marking, including the Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber. Composers often use adagio for moments of deep emotion or reflection. In a symphony, the slow movement is frequently marked adagio, providing contrast to the faster outer movements. The tempo demands control and sustained tone, making adagio passages a test of a performer's musicianship.