Fortissimo vs Niente
Side-by-side comparison of two musical terms.
Fortissimo
- Definition
- Very loud; much louder than forte.
- Category
- dynamics
- Pronunciation
- for-TEE-see-moh
- Origin
- Italian
- Synonyms
- very loudvery strong
- Antonyms
- PianissimoPiano
- Usage
- The brass section blazes fortissimo in the triumphant finale.
Niente
- Definition
- Nothing; fade to complete silence.
- Category
- dynamics
- Pronunciation
- nee-EN-teh
- Origin
- Italian
- Antonyms
- Fortissimo
- Usage
- Mahler's Symphony No. 9 ends with the strings fading al niente — one of the most devastating endings in orchestral music.