sostenuto

American  

[sos-tuh-noo-toh, soh-stuh-, saws-te-noo-taw] / ˌsɒs təˈnu toʊ, ˌsoʊ stə-, ˌsɔs tɛˈnu tɔ /

adjective

1. sustained or prolonged in the time value of the tones.

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noun

• sostenutos,
  plural
• sostenuti
  plural

1. a movement or passage played in this manner.

sostenuto British  

/ ˌsɒstəˈnuːtəʊ /

adjective

1. music (preceded by a tempo marking) to be performed in a smooth sustained manner

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• sostenuti
  plural
• sostenutos
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of sostenuto

1715–25; < Italian, past participle of sostenere; see sustain

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sostenuto

Robbins Landon, is a Largo e sostenuto in D minor, and stares straight at its kin in Beethoven, the brooding Largo e mesto of Op.

From New York Times ● Sep. 16, 2022

And humor, as when vibrato-rich sostenuto in the violins is interrupted by a belching low note from the cello.

From New York Times ● Apr. 15, 2019

We have now to look to something slightly resembling the principle of the violin or of the organ, in order to secure the additional sostenuto effect for which we are searching.

From Twentieth Century Inventions A Forecast by George Sutherland

The basis of phrasing then, may be found in legato, sostenuto and contrast.

From The Head Voice and Other Problems Practical Talks on Singing by D. A. (David Alva) Clippinger

"O Love!" exclaimed Emanuel Prockter, adagio and sostenuto, thus diverting from James a hundred glances which James certainly was delighted to lose.

From Helen with the High Hand (2nd ed.) by Arnold Bennett

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