Depending on the context, the word cantabile can have several slightly different meanings. It’s a general term for music that’s meant to be performed in a very flowing, melodious, and lyrical manner. It is a type of musical direction in this sense. The direction is an Italian term that comes from the Latin cantabilis, which means “worthy of being sung.” Cantare is a Latin word that means “to sing.”
Cantabile was first used in music by composers in the early 18th century. Although tempo was measured, the term meant legato performance to composers of the time. The term was later changed to indicate that the performer should draw one line. In either case, a fundamental principle was that the performer needed to execute the music with expression, flexibility, and an overall sense of naturalness in order to have a singing quality. Even if the music wasn’t for the voice, the goal was to convey as much humanity and drama as possible through the line.
Cantabile is used in music in two different ways. The first method is used in conjunction with a tempo indication at the start of the score or individual part, such as “largo cantabile.” When used in this way, the term indicated that the performer should sing the entire work, or at least the first section of the music, at a specific speed until another performance direction appeared.
The designation can also appear as a separate musical direction in sheet music. For example, if the composer desired a little more sweetness or connection in one section of line, he might write the word where he wants the performer to approach the music in that manner. However, because composers do not always include additional instructions to indicate when the cantabile section should end, musicians must rely on their own judgment to determine when to depart from the cantabile style.
Cantabile refers to the first half of a double aria in some cases. Because the second half of the aria contrasted so well with the freedom of performance assumed with this direction, it was especially well suited to this form. The second half of the double aria was traditionally a more rousing cabaletta.
People who say “cantabile” less frequently are referring to specific musical works with the term in the title. Rather than listing the specific title, they sometimes pair the term with the composer of the work. For example, they could say something like, “The Tchiakovsky cantabile is extremely beautiful.”