About Larghetto
A shade quicker than Largo — still spacious, but with a gentle forward pull.
Every tempo in the Larghetto range
Pieces you may already know at Larghetto
The quickest way to feel a tempo is to hum a piece written at it. These carry the marking Larghetto in the score, or are almost always played in its range.
- Symphony No. 2, 2nd movement — Beethoven
One of the longest Larghetto movements in the repertoire.
- Clarinet Quintet K. 581, 2nd movement — Mozart
Larghetto over muted strings — the tempo breathes rather than walks.
- Piano Concerto No. 2, 2nd movement — Chopin
A Larghetto nocturne for piano and orchestra.
In today's music: Slow ballads and lullabies — roughly the speed of "Someone Like You" or a slow waltz.
Questions
What BPM is Larghetto?
Larghetto is usually given as about 66 BPM, with 63 BPM a typical middle value. Editions and traditions differ, so treat the range as a guide.
What does Larghetto mean?
Rather broadly. A shade quicker than Largo — still spacious, but with a gentle forward pull.
How do I practise a Larghetto passage?
Start near 30–32 BPM so the notes are accurate, then step up by about 5 BPM until you reach the marked tempo.
Tempo ranges are approximate and differ between editions, periods and performers.