quasi niente
Italian composer
Definition
\"Almost nothing.\" An extreme pianissimo marking indicating a sound that barely exists — at or below the threshold of audibility.
Interpretive Guidance
Crumb uses quasi niente to create sounds that the listener is unsure they heard. In practice, aim for a dynamic where the note is present but fragile — a ghost of a sound. The sustain pedal is always engaged so that even the faintest touch resonates.