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Pianissimo

very softly (dynamic marking)

noun pja-NIS-si-mo Rare
Arts & Culture Music

Origin: from Italian, superlative of piano

Also means

a passage performed at very low volume

Usage Note

Pianissimo (abbreviated pp) is a standard dynamic marking in scores. Performers and conductors speak of a Pianissimo-Stelle or complain that the orchestra did not hold its Pianissimo long enough.

Examples

"Das Pianissimo der Streicher am Ende des Satzes war atemberaubend."

Natural Translation

The pianissimo of the strings at the end of the movement was breathtaking.

Literal Translation

The pianissimo of the strings at the end of the movement was breath-taking.

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