maestoso

American  

[mahy-stoh-soh, mah-es-taw-saw] / maɪˈstoʊ soʊ, ˌmɑ ɛsˈtɔ sɔ /

adjective

1. with majesty; stately (used as a musical direction).

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maestoso British  

/ maɪˈstəʊsəʊ /

adjective

1. to be performed majestically

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noun

1. a piece or passage directed to be played in this way

Etymology

Origin of maestoso

1715–25; < Italian: stately, majestic, equivalent to maest ( à ) (< Latin mājestās majesty ) + -oso -ose ¹

Example Sentences

The allegro first movement of the "Haffner," for example, is really more maestoso than the prescribed con spirito.

From Time Magazine Archive

It begins with the Hamlet theme, allegro maestoso, very bold and rhythmic, which suddenly breaks off with a pianissimo suggestion of "How shall I my true love know?"

From Shakespeare and Music by Wilson, Christopher

Allegro moderato, moderately quick; allegro maestoso, quick but with dignity; allegro assai and allegro molto, very quick; allegro con brio or con fuoco, with fire and energy; allegrissimo, with the utmost rapidity.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 1 A to Amide by Various

This brings us to the last movement, andante maestoso.

From The Standard Cantatas Their Stories, Their Music, and Their Composers by Upton, George P. (George Putnam)

There is a sudden pause, and in the succeeding maestoso episode the second voice is heard—Nature's Hymn: Der pr�cht'ge Ocean ...

From Franz Liszt by Huneker, James