Beethoven's Double Bass Parts: The Viennese Violone and the Problem of Lower Compass

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dc.contributor.advisorLoewen, Peteren_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberEllison, Paulen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberLavenda, Richarden_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberBlumenthal-Barby, Martinen_US
dc.creatorBuckley, Stephenen_US
dc.date.accessioned2013-09-16T14:51:30Zen_US
dc.date.accessioned2013-09-16T14:51:32Zen_US
dc.date.available2013-09-16T14:51:30Zen_US
dc.date.available2013-09-16T14:51:32Zen_US
dc.date.created2013-05en_US
dc.date.issued2013-09-16en_US
dc.date.submittedMay 2013en_US
dc.date.updated2013-09-16T14:51:32Zen_US
dc.description.abstractThis study addresses the discrepancy between the range of Beethoven's double bass parts and the instrument or instruments in use in Vienna in his day. Scholars and musicians have complained about Beethoven's apparent disregard for the instrument's capabilities since the middle of the nineteenth century. A systematic examination of Beethoven's orchestral writing for the double bass shows that this reputation is undeserved. In fact Beethoven paid close attention to the lower compass of the double bass throughout his orchestral writing: a clear boundary of F is observed up to op. 55, and thereafter E, though F still obtains in some late works. Beethoven's observance of the F boundary suggests that he was writing for the Viennese five-stringed violone, and not the modern form of the instrument, as has previously been assumed in scholarship. Other evidence pointing to the use of this instrument is presented. Some of Beethoven's bass parts between op. 55 and op. 125 do in fact descend to C (sounding C1); yet there is no evidence supporting the existence of a double bass instrument capable of C1 in Beethoven's day. Possible explanations for these violations of the compass of the double bass are discussed. These focus on the possibility of simple proofreading error, and on evidence for the unwritten practice of reinforcing the double bass with one or more contrabassoons. The contrabassoon in Beethoven's day had a lower compass of C1, and Vienna was an early center for its production and use. Analysis of the bulk of Beethoven's double bass parts for their range is given. Emphasis in this analysis is given to instances where Beethoven demonstrates a clear awareness of the compass of the instrument. Out-of-range pitches are compiled in table form.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.citationBuckley, Stephen. "Beethoven's Double Bass Parts: The Viennese Violone and the Problem of Lower Compass." (2013) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/71928">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/71928</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.slug123456789/ETD-2013-05-527en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/71928en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectDouble bassen_US
dc.subjectLower compassen_US
dc.subjectViennese Violoneen_US
dc.titleBeethoven's Double Bass Parts: The Viennese Violone and the Problem of Lower Compassen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentMusicen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineMusicen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Musical Artsen_US
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