A Delightful Word Stumbled Across Today

Sprezzatura

From the Italian, this word describes the nonchalance that stems from discipline and rigorous practice, expressed as a seemingly effortless result.

Michael Jordan’s basketballs find the rim.  Gene Kelly in love in Singin’ In The Rain (1952).  Oksana Baiul floats over the ice as she captures gold in Lillehammer 1994.  Michaelangelo’s statue of David entrances from any angle.  San Francisco’s Voices of Music play Johann Pachebel’s Canon in D major with original-era instruments using authentic technique, transporting you to the 17^th century.  More examples abound.

I hear the word with a lilt traversing the four syllables, kissing the “tz” of the first – spretz-a-TOOR-a.  Now when I experience that moment of sweetness, I will think – sprezzatura!  (Thank you Adam Nicholson, from Quarrel With the King [Harper Collins: NY, NY 2008].)

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