Instrument names: Concerti Grossi, etc.

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Irishmaestro
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Instrument names: Concerti Grossi, etc.

Post by Irishmaestro »

I've noticed that some Italian instrument names in 17th- and 18th-century instrumental parts (particularly sets of Concerti Grossi) are often translated inaccurately.

"Violino Primo", for instance, should really be translated as "Violin 1\I", rather than "Violins 1\I": the part might be played by more than one player, but this is never (as far as I'm aware) specified in original parts.
To me, it seems more correct to use "concertino" and "ripieno", rather than "solo" and "tutti" (or even plural names).
Most importantly, "Basso del Concerto Grosso", "Basso Ripieno", etc, should be rendered either as "Basso Continuo" or even just "Continuo", and not as "Cellos and Basses"!!
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