Sostenutos

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A musical term indicating a sustained manner of playing or singing, where notes are held for their full value while maintaining expressiveness
2. Describing a style of performance that emphasizes prolonged notes, allowing for a smooth and flowing interpretation of the music
3. Referring to the practice of interpreting musical passages with a focus on maintaining their length, enhancing the emotional impact of the piece

Etymology: "Sostenutos" is the plural of "sostenuto", a word borrowed from Italian, where it is the past participle of "sostenere", meaning "to sustain" or "to hold up". The Italian verb combines "sostenere" from "so-" (a variant of "sub-", meaning "under") and "tenere", "to hold", so the musical sense of holding a note or chord on is a direct extension of the idea of holding something up. In English the form is used for sustained musical playing, where a performer keeps a note or chord going at full length. The plural "sostenutos" refers to more than one such passage or instance.

Synonyms: sostenuto chords, sustained notes