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bas-dessus de viole

English translation: alto viola da gamba, alto viol

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:bas-dessus de viole
English translation:alto viola da gamba, alto viol
Entered by: David Vaughn

10:33 Jul 3, 2019
French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Music / baroque instruments
French term or phrase: bas-dessus de viole
From a glossary, the definition of a CONSORT:

Petit ensemble de la Renaissance rassemblant tous les instruments d'une même famille. Un consort complet de violes réunit un dessus de viole, un bas-dessus de viole, une viole ténor, une basse de viole et un violone (contrebasse de viole).

First, I see both VIOL and VIOLA in English - is there a standard term?
And I am struggling with 'bas-dessus de viole'. Any informed suggestions?
Thank you...
ormiston
Local time: 05:05
alto viol
Explanation:
or alto viola de gamba

In general, in a highly specialised context I would use viol, and use viola de gamba – a more generally understood image – for less specialized contexts.

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Note added at 22 mins (2019-07-03 10:55:34 GMT)
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http://www.charronerie.com/viole_de_gambe.php

Since all indication is that the alto was seldom used, and since the term "bas-dessus de viole" would seem to likely correspond in pitch to the alto, I think it is probably the same instrument, especially if it can be found in "consorts".

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Note added at 5 hrs (2019-07-03 16:16:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

As Barbara Carrara so correctly notes, it should be "alto viola da gamba" (or "alto viola").

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 hrs (2019-07-03 16:19:28 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Sorry again – "alto viol", not "alto viola", too ambiguous.
Selected response from:

David Vaughn
Local time: 05:05
Grading comment
thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3alto viol
David Vaughn


  

Answers


13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
alto viol


Explanation:
or alto viola de gamba

In general, in a highly specialised context I would use viol, and use viola de gamba – a more generally understood image – for less specialized contexts.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 22 mins (2019-07-03 10:55:34 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://www.charronerie.com/viole_de_gambe.php

Since all indication is that the alto was seldom used, and since the term "bas-dessus de viole" would seem to likely correspond in pitch to the alto, I think it is probably the same instrument, especially if it can be found in "consorts".

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 hrs (2019-07-03 16:16:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

As Barbara Carrara so correctly notes, it should be "alto viola da gamba" (or "alto viola").

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 hrs (2019-07-03 16:19:28 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Sorry again – "alto viol", not "alto viola", too ambiguous.

David Vaughn
Local time: 05:05
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 201
Grading comment
thank you!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  philgoddard
1 hr
agree  writeaway: I like alto viola de gamba/agree with Barbara-da gamba/de gambe
1 hr
agree  Barbara Carrara: Shouldn't the prep. be 'da' and not 'de', esp. when combined with 'gamba' (da gamba OR de gambe), though?
4 hrs
  -> Absolutely. Thanks for catching that.
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