Radolcente

As Printed on a Score

Printed above or below the staff where the music softens and sweetens; it lasts until the gentler level or character is reached, often marked by a following pp or dolcissimo.

Also spelled: raddolcente, raddolcendo

How Composers Use It

Becoming sweeter: a combined diminuendo and softening of character. Use it at the end of a forceful passage to lead into a gentle one; it is less abrupt than subito p. Place it while the forceful music is still sounding, so the change unfolds over a bar or two. The standard Italian spelling has a double d (raddolcente, raddolcendo).

Example

Liszt, Transcendental Étude No. 9 (“Ricordanza”), m. 31: “radolcente” in a bar that also prints f, “marcato.” and “precipitato.”, leading to “dolcissimo capricciosamente.” at pp.

Related Terms