largo

Largo is among the slowest tempo markings, calling for a broad, expansive pace typically between 40 and 66 BPM. The word means wide in Italian, suggesting music that unfolds with spaciousness and weight. It is slower than adagio and implies a grander, more sustained character. The famous Largo from Dvořák's New World Symphony (actually marked Largo in the score) is one of the most beloved melodies in classical music, though it is technically the second movement's English horn solo. Handel's Largo from Xerxes (originally Larghetto) has become a staple of the classical repertoire. The tempo demands exceptional breath control from wind players and sustained, even bowing from string players.