dolcissimo

dynamicsdol-CHEES-ee-mofrom Italian

A performance direction meaning very sweetly, with the utmost tenderness‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌

In Depth

Dolcissimo is the superlative form of dolce and represents an extreme of gentleness and sweetness.‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌ It calls for the softest possible dynamic that remains audible, the warmest possible tone colour, and the most intimate expressive character. The term appears rarely, reserved for moments of extraordinary tenderness. Performers must balance near-inaudibility with sustained musical line — a considerable technical challenge.

Did you know?

Beethoven marked the slow movement of his late String Quartet Op. 132 dolcissimo during the passage he described as a holy song of thanksgiving.