A musical term indicating an immediate and sustained slowing of tempo, typically more sudden than ritardando. The slower tempo is maintained until a new tempo marking appears.
From Italian 'ritenuto,' past participle of 'ritenere' meaning 'to hold back, retain,' from Latin 'retinere.' The term evolved in classical music to distinguish between gradual slowing (ritardando) and immediate tempo reduction that is then held steady.
Ritenuto is like hitting the brakes versus gradually coasting to a stop—it creates dramatic tension by suddenly shifting the music's forward momentum! Composers like Chopin used this technique to create moments of suspended time, making listeners lean in with anticipation.
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