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#80268 09/21/02 11:42 PM
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From a friend of mine, a former Professor of Music at Tufts, upon reviewing that bannister link:

"... a Radcliffe girl, on a Music 1 exam way back in the '50's, gave the following definition:

BASSO OSTINATO: A mechanical contrivance worn by the Italian castrati. "



#80269 09/22/02 12:00 AM
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Being musically ignoraant, among other ways, I searched for "basso obstinato". Perhaps others
may forgive me for posting:

Ground Bass(It. Basso ostinato,`obstinate bass')


Short thematic motif in bass which is constantly repeated with changing harmonies while
upper parts proceed and vary. Originated in Cantus firmus of choral mus. and became popular
in 17th cent., particularly in Eng., as a ground for variations in str. mus. Hence the no. of
`Divisions on a ground'. Examples exist by Byrd, Purcell, Frescobaldi, Carissimi, and Cavalli. See
Chaconne.

I wonder what that girl thought "castrati" were, And what kind of mechanical devices she had in mind.


#80270 09/22/02 12:09 AM
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I suspect she was focusing on the high pitch of the voice, so that if there were any element of bass, even humorously, it must come from an something artificial...


#80271 09/22/02 12:24 AM
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Wouldn't this lead to bass violins?



TEd
#80272 09/22/02 01:12 AM
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Dear TEd: creating a Vatican soprano requires bass violins.


#80273 09/22/02 01:16 AM
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Dear TEd: It was my uncle Sam Hunt who originated carrying tools of the trade
first in violin case, then in golf bag. He left me no souvenirs, Sob,sob!


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