Sempre legato

As Printed on a Score

Printed above or below the staff, usually at the opening of a piece or passage, sometimes combined (sempre legato e placido). It applies until another articulation word or a clear change of texture, and lets the engraver omit slurs over long stretches; Schubert’s editions print sempre ligato.

Also spelled: sempre ligato

How Composers Use It

A blanket instruction that saves slurring every phrase: use it where the whole passage should be connected and the phrasing is obvious from the music, as in many Romantic piano pieces with chordal or flowing accompaniments. If particular notes still need separation, mark them explicitly, since sempre legato will otherwise override them.

Example

Chopin, Prelude in E minor, Op. 28 No. 4, m. 1: “sempre legato”, printed with “Largo”, “espressivo” and a p.

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