What term is used to describe music that is sustained?

The term used to describe music that is sustained is "sostenuto." This term comes from the Italian word for "sustained" and indicates that the notes should be held for their full value or slightly longer, creating a rich and full sound that can convey a sense of emotion or continuity.

In classical music, "sostenuto" often implies a smoother and more connected playing style, encouraging the performer to emphasize the expressiveness of sustained notes. It is particularly useful in contexts where the sustainment of sound is needed to maintain harmonic richness or melodic flow.

Other terms, such as "tenuto," refer more to holding notes for their full value but generally without the same emphasis on expressiveness as "sostenuto." "Legato" pertains to a connected style of playing, ensuring that notes are smoothly transitioned without gaps, but it does not specifically focus on the duration of each note in the same way. "Stretto," on the other hand, deals with a faster tempo or an overlap in musical lines, which detracts from the concept of sustaining sound.