Largo: Very slow, broadly (40–60 BPM)
Largo means very slow and broad, a tempo of roughly 40-60 BPM that suggests spaciousness and grandeur rather than simple slowness.
Largo Metronome: 40 to 60 BPM
Press play to hear Largo at 50 BPM, or switch to the slow and fast ends of the range.
Loops until you press Stop. Beat 1 is accented so you can feel where the bar starts.
What Largo Means
Largo is one of the most recognized slow tempo markings, indicating a broad, expansive pace. It suggests spaciousness and grandeur rather than mere slowness, often used for deeply expressive movements. Dvořák's famous 'New World' Largo is among the most beloved slow movements in the orchestral repertoire.
Etymology
Italian, literally 'broad, wide, large'
BPM Range
Minimum: 40 BPM
Maximum: 60 BPM
Typical: 50 BPM
Think of largo as 'broad' rather than just 'slow.' Keep phrases flowing and connected even at this deliberate pace. Practice sustaining tone quality and dynamic control throughout long note values.
Largo in Real Music
Largo is the classic marking for a symphony's or concerto's expressive slow movement, and it usually signals long-breathed melody over sparse accompaniment. The most loved example is the second movement of Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, From the New World, whose cor anglais theme is so vocal in shape that it was later fitted with words as the spiritual-style song Goin' Home. Bach's Keyboard Concerto in F minor, BWV 1056, has a Largo second movement, the arioso, where a decorated right-hand line floats over pizzicato strings. Handel supplies the most instructive case: the aria Ombra mai fu from his opera Serse is universally known as Handel's Largo, yet the score actually marks it Larghetto, a reminder that the popular label and the composer's instruction do not always agree. Era changes how largo lands. Baroque largo tends to keep a walking bass and a clear pulse underneath the ornamentation, so it moves more than the number alone suggests, while Romantic and film-score largos stretch toward the slow end and lean on sustained string sound. Because the word means broad rather than merely slow, performers are aiming for width of phrase, keeping long notes alive and connected instead of letting the line stall between beats.
Example Pieces
- Symphony No. 9 'From the New World', 2nd movement (Largo), Antonín Dvořák
- Keyboard Concerto in F minor, BWV 1056, 2nd movement (Largo), Johann Sebastian Bach
- Xerxes, 'Ombra mai fu' (Largo), George Frideric Handel
Common Genres
Related Tempo Markings
Frequently Asked Questions
What BPM is largo?
Largo is typically performed at 40-60 BPM. The exact tempo depends on the time signature and the character of the piece.
What does largo mean in music?
Largo means 'broadly' in Italian. As a tempo marking, it indicates a very slow, expansive pace that conveys grandeur and deep expressiveness.
Is largo slower than adagio?
Yes. Largo runs about 40-60 BPM while adagio sits at 66-76 BPM, so largo is the slower marking. Largo also implies breadth and spaciousness, whereas adagio literally means at ease.
What famous pieces are marked largo?
The Largo second movement of Dvorak's New World Symphony is the best known. Bach's Keyboard Concerto in F minor, BWV 1056, has a Largo slow movement, and Handel's aria Ombra mai fu is popularly called Handel's Largo.
What is the difference between largo and larghetto?
Larghetto is the diminutive of largo and runs faster, at 60-66 BPM against largo's 40-60 BPM. Largo asks for full breadth; larghetto asks for a little breadth, with more forward flow.
Related References
Practise Largo at Any Tempo
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