Molto pesante

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff or over a part at the passage it governs, often with a forte and other words (Soli; molto pesante: non legato). It holds until a new character or tempo word replaces it.

How Composers Use It

Very heavy: maximum weight on every note, with a strong suggestion of broadening. It suits massive brass or low-string passages and grotesque or ceremonial marches. Combining it with non legato, as Holst does in the violins, makes the weight come with separation rather than smear — a useful pairing when heavy writing risks turning muddy.

Example

Holst, The Planets, Op. 32, first horn in F: “molto pesante” over a “Soli” entry at f, while the first violins elsewhere read “molto pesante: non legato”.

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