What is the meaning of the term "subito" in music?

The term "subito" in music translates to "suddenly" in English. It is used as a directive in musical scores to indicate that a change should happen abruptly or without gradual transition. When you see "subito" followed by a dynamic marking, such as "subito piano," it instructs the musician to suddenly play softly, creating a stark contrast with the preceding dynamics. This technique adds drama and excitement to the performance, allowing for expressive transitions within the music.

The other options present different musical terms that describe tempo or dynamics but do not accurately reflect the meaning of "subito." For instance, "slowly" refers to a gradual tempo change, "gradually" indicates a smooth transition over time, and "quietly" pertains to dynamics without the sudden aspect implied in "subito."