Molto ritardando

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff as molto rit., molto ritard., or with the words reversed (ritard. molto, rit. molto), often with dashes; it is cancelled by a tempo, a new tempo word or a fermata. Molto rit. could also mean molto ritenuto, so context decides.

Abbreviations: molto rit., molto ritard., ritard. molto, rit. molto

How Composers Use It

A strong, gradual slowing, usually reserved for the end of a section or piece where the music must come to a broad stop. Because it is drastic, place it late; slowing too early makes the final bars drag. If a slower tempo should then remain, follow it with a tempo word (Adagio, Più lento) rather than leaving the performer at the end of an open-ended ritardando.

Example

Brahms, “Von ewiger Liebe”, Op. 43 No. 1, piano, m. 119: “ritard. molto”, as the music falls from f to p within two bars.

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