Largo BPM

40 — 60 BPM

Largo — Slow and broad

Typical midpoint: 50 BPM · 1200 ms per beat

What is Largo?

Largo indicates a very slow tempo with a broad, stately feel. The marking calls for sustained notes, deep expression, and a sense of grandeur. At 40-60 BPM, each beat is roughly one second long — close to the resting human heart rate.

What does Largo mean?

Etymology: From the Italian "largo," meaning broad, wide, or generous in space and time.

Literal translation: Slow and broad

History of Largo as a tempo marking

Largo became a standard movement marking in the Baroque era, particularly for slow second movements of concertos. Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel all wrote celebrated Largo movements. The term implies not just speed but also expansive phrasing.

Famous Largo pieces

Piece	Composer	BPM
Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" (Largo, 2nd mvt)	Dvořák	52
Largo from Xerxes ("Ombra mai fù")	Handel	50
Winter (Largo, 2nd mvt)	Vivaldi	56
Symphony No. 5 (Largo, 2nd mvt)	Beethoven	50

Modern genres at Largo tempo

While Largo originated as a classical music marking, the 40-60 BPM range covers many modern genres:

Ambient
Slow ballads
Funeral doom
Drone

Largo compared to neighbouring tempos

Marking	BPM Range	Meaning
Grave (slower)	20-40	Very slow and solemn
Largo	40-60	Slow and broad
Larghetto (faster)	60-66	Rather slow and broad

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