Très soutenu

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the part whose tone is to be held fullest — a solo line, a melody in the piano, a horn call — at the start of the passage, often beside sourd. or a solo indication. It lasts for that phrase or until another manner word replaces it.

Also spelled: tres soutenu

How Composers Use It

Very sustained: each note held to its full length with a full, carrying tone. It is especially useful for a solo line that must sing over a light accompaniment, and for soft or muted passages that would otherwise thin out. Debussy pairs it with the soft pedal (sourd. et très soutenu); Lili Boulanger gives it to a solo horn.

Example

Lili Boulanger, D’un matin de printemps, third horn, m. 149: “très soutenu”, the bar after “3. Solo” and “sans sourd.”

Related Terms