Sostenuto assai

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff with the tempo heading or at the passage it governs, often combined (molto espressivo e sostenuto assai). As a character word it holds until a new tempo or character word; read as a tempo hint, it may also imply a slower pace.

How Composers Use It

Very sustained: long, connected tones held to their full value, and often a slightly held-back tempo. Sostenuto carries both senses — sustained tone and restrained speed — so make the tempo explicit if it matters. As a heading for an accompaniment it tells the player to keep chords full and joined rather than pulsing.

Example

Bizet, 20 Mélodies, Op. 21, “Absence”, piano, m. 1: “molto espressivo e sostenuto assai”, under the heading “Andante moderato”.

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