"Adagio" Albinoni is the most famous piece of music that is associated with human grief and the loss of a loved one. I wonder what is "adagio", what is the meaning of this term, is the word connected with the nature of the work? The word adagio comes from Italy. The translation of the term is “slow” or “calm”. The meaning of the word "adagio" has several meanings. It all depends on where it is used.
Interpretation of the word "adagio"
The term was first discovered in the 15th century. It was translated from Italian as “calmly”, “freely” and even “conveniently”. Used to indicate the nature of the music.
In ancient musical works there are similar words from the Venetian dialect. They were written as Adgio, Adago, Ado, Ad ', Adgo and Adasio.
Brossard's dictionary gives the following interpretation of the word: "conveniently, calmly, always slowly, stretching the topic, lingering."
Sources of the 18th - early 19th centuries interpret the term as “convenient” or “quietly”.
Researcher Yavorsky explains that adagio does not mean "inert", but means "calmly." Energy is concentrated in such an even and tense state, and after that it passes into passion or into an active form.
At certain times, the word meant "moderate pace." At the end of the XVII century, such a definition was given to him by Purcell, Wolf, Brossar, Corret. Among the characteristics one could read the following: "medium slow, very slow, slowest."
All disagreements are related to the fact that in the old days the tempo of the music was set by the emotional subtext of the work, and not what was indicated next to the notes.
The most original meaning of the word was given by Drobish and Gunka. They translate the word as "old age" and indicate that it is necessary to perform the work "slowly in an old manner." Most likely, Drobisch and Gunke confused Italian adagio with French age, which means age.
Adagio in music
In music, this word denotes the pace at which it is necessary to perform part of a symphony, sonata, quartet or any other work. It indicates a rather slow pace, which is slower than the Andante, but livelier than the Largo.
If the composer uses part of the “adagio” in his composition, this is a sign of talent. It can show all the creative potential. Examples include Beethoven and Albinoni, whose adagio is known to the whole world.
Adagio is a way to contrast the parts at a fast and fast pace.
The measures of the melody are from 9/8 to 12/8.
Adagio in the Moonlight Sonata
Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” is known to all people. Even those who are far from music remember the beginning of this masterpiece very well. Slow melody of magnificent beauty - "Adagio". This name was given to her by the author himself. There is evidence that Beethoven composed this part near the body of a deceased friend. This theme can be traced in various works of other composers. It was this part that became the most exciting and attracting the attention of millions.
Mournful adagio
The musical work of the composer Remo Gadzotto, called "Albinoni Adagio", is known to many because it is often used in funeral ceremonies. It is written for stringed instruments and organ. The adagio, created in 1958, is the most performed musical composition not only in the next half century. It was used in almost a dozen films. A large number of songs and instrumental compositions were written on its basis.
Remo Gadzotto, who wrote a biography of Tomaso Albinoni, accidentally stumbled upon a small piece of a piece of music in a library in Dresden. Based on the available initial measures, Jadzotto recreated, or rather, created his famous “Adagio”.
Adagio in ballet
What is adagio in ballet? This word refers to the duet of the main characters of the lyrical content. Ballet adagios are wide, chanted and romantic melodies. Part of the dance consists of smooth and wide movements.
Sometimes this is an independent episode of dance in such dance forms as pas de deux, pas de trois, grand pas, pas d'axion.
Famous ballet adagios are parts from Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Spartak.
In choreographic classes there is a training movement under that name.
They begin to study it from the elementary grades, complicating it from year to year by turns, duration and speed of completion, transitions. With the help of this exercise, children develop stability, the ability to confidently control the body, and the smooth movement of the hands. This dance form is useful for learning in male and female dance classes.