Tenuto: A musical notation indicating that a note should be sustained for its full value, sometimes slightly longer, with emphasis.

Context and Significance

Tenuto marks are significant in music for adding expressiveness and depth to a piece. They are commonly used across various genres, including classical and jazz, to highlight particular notes or passages. On instruments like the piano, violin, and wind instruments, tenuto commands the musician to hold a note longer, lending a lyrical, flowing quality to the performance. This technique enhances the emotional impact of the music, drawing attention to the intended musical phrasing and dynamics.

Historical Background

The term “tenuto” comes from the Italian word “tenere,” meaning “to hold.” It has been part of musical notation since the Classical period, providing composers a way to specify nuances in musical expression. Tenuto became prominent during the Romantic era, a time when emotional expression in music was emphasized. This period saw composers like Chopin and Liszt employing tenuto to bring out the emotive qualities in their compositions, enriching the overall musical narrative.

Examples

In Chopin’s Nocturnes, tenuto is often used to accentuate the lyrical, expressive lines that characterize his pieces. The technique can also be observed in orchestral music, such as in Mahler’s symphonies, where tenuto marks help convey the intense emotional landscapes typical of his compositions. In jazz, pianists like Bill Evans use tenuto to give certain notes a more prolonged, emphasized quality, enhancing the improvisational feel of their performances.

Related Terms

Legato: A smooth, connected style of playing notes.

Staccato: A detached, short style of playing notes.

Marcato: A notation indicating a note should be played with emphasis.

Fermata: A notation indicating a note should be held longer than its usual duration.

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