Alt - what is it?

Alto is not only a kind of opera voice, but also a musical string-bow instrument. In this article we will analyze both meanings of this word.

Musical instrument

The alt is a musical instrument, a kind and a device similar to a violin, but differs from it in a large size. It is because of its size that the alto sounds much lower than the violin.

For a long time this instrument was given a very small role in the orchestras, since it was intended for the performance of only average voices that the composers did not enjoy popularity with.

Occurrence

Like most of the violin instruments, the viola arose in the 15-16 centuries. The Soviet music theorist Struve believed that he became the ancestor of the entire string-bow family and was the first to join the orchestras in the second half of the 16th century. At this time the leading place among the melodic voices was occupied by high violas. Alt was close to this instrument in its sound and size, and this was one of the main reasons that he entered the orchestra as a middle voice, harmoniously merging with the higher ones. So the viola became a kind of bridge between the dying famine of the family viols and the appearance of violin instruments.

History of development

So, alto for a long time remained in the position of a subordinate voice in the orchestra. This was the reason that the musicians also showed disregard for the instrument. Specially played on the viola did not study, and violinists-losers who could not really play either on that or any other instrument were playing in the orchestra. This only aggravated the situation, confirming the skeptical and indulgent opinion of the composers about the viola.

However, all these grievances were completely undeserved. The instrument was very powerful, only a man was needed who could see them and was not afraid to present them to the public. He became Etienne Mayul (1763-1817), who wrote the opera Uthal, in which the main and highest stringed part was given to the viola.

In 1834, a great admirer and connoisseur of an underestimated instrument, Hector Berlioz created an entire symphony called "Harold in Italy", in which the main party got to the violas. According to legend, Berlioz expected that Paganini would play it at the opening night, but the musician's death prevented it.

The reasons for unpopularity

Alt (see the photo of the instrument in the article), standing between the violin and the cello, tends more towards the first. In addition to the similar structure and manner of play, these instruments also have three common strings that are completely identical in sound. However, in the 17th and 18th centuries the opinion that alto sounds nasal and melancholy was affirmed. Why was he so different from his melodic and bright "sister"?

The thing is that the instruments, built in compliance with all the rules and standards, were not used in the orchestras at that time, since the musicians-losers simply could not play them. Therefore, the violin masters were forced to adjust the instruments to performers who did not want to make any effort to master the new skill of the game. So was born the alto-nedomerok, which, contrary to its distorted sound, became popular not only among musicians, but also among composers. It is significant in this respect that this instrument was recognized even by the Paris Conservatoire.

And only in the late 19 - early 20 th century, the real viola returned to the orchestra, finally replacing its ugly copy.

Attitude of musicians

Surprisingly, quite well-known musicians such as Paganini, Alar, Vietnam, Sivori, loved quartets to perform viola parts and were not completely ashamed of this. And Viatan even had an alto of the work of the famous master Magini, on which the performer played during his concerts. And Alesandro Rolla, the teacher of Paganini, masterfully mastered this instrument, which led the listeners into a frenzy.

Thus, only professional musicians could really play well on the viola and also did not put it below other violin instruments.

The attitude of composers

The Alt is an unpopular instrument of the orchestra's inception, the attitude towards which changes with the advent of the polyphonic music of Handel and Bach. These composers equalized his rights with the second violin.

However, under the influence of the Neapolitan school, the value of the instrument begins to fall again. And composers increasingly sent it to reinforce bass voices. Similar can be found in Haydn, Gluck and Mozart among foreign and in Tchaikovsky and Glinka among domestic composers.

The arrival of Beethoven in music marked the flowering of the viola. The instrument finally took its rightful place, having found two voices.

Tool Strings

The Alt is an instrument whose strings are tuned to a fifth less than the violin, and an octave higher than the cello. The most common range is within a small octave and mi 3rd octave, but you can play higher sounds. Notes can be written in violin and alto keys.

Receptions of the game

A good violinist will easily switch to viola. This is due to the fact that the techniques and strokes of the game for these instruments are the same. The only difference is the sound, it is less dull, bright and velvety, even slightly nasal.

Such a specific timbre is a consequence of the size of the tool body, which does not coincide with its structure. If you do the viola, it will not be possible to put it on your shoulder, but you can play it as a cello.

In the role of the solo performer, the viola performs very rarely. Usually this instrument is part of a string or symphony orchestra, where he performs medium voices. Also viola is a part of string quartets and various chamber compositions.

At what age do you start learning to play the viola?

Since childhood, do not become viola. The musicians' testimonies indicate that to master this instrument you must first learn how to play the violin. On the alt they pass after the end of the music school in the conservatories and colleges. Usually musicians with wide vibration and large physique prefer this instrument.

Altgorn

There is another musical instrument called alto (the photo tool you see above), or Altgorn. It is a brass instrument that belongs to the family of saxgorns. The range of sound is from la big to b flat 1 octave. Its sound is dull and inexpressive, that's why the altorg is used only in brass, mostly regimental, orchestras. Usually he is given average voices.

Alt: voice

Altom is a child's voice from a small octave fa to a second octave fa and a low female octave. This voice is above the tenor, which usually leads the main melody. The most common notes are the salt of the small octave and the mi of the 2nd octave. In the choir there are two types of violas: the first and the second.

First and second viola

The former have a volume from small to a phase of the second octave. The lower sounds of this range sound weakly and gently at the same time, but moving to the top, they become stronger, gain strength, brilliance and fury. The two upper notes can be called even screaming and tense. The most beautiful sounds are from 1 to 2 octaves. Within these limits, the alto can give different shades: from a gentle piano to a bright and brilliant forte.

Also the voice of the first violas is called mezzo-soprano. He gives his melodic timbre to the melodic figure expressiveness and melodiousness.

The second altos sound in the small octave and reach the fa of the 1st octave. Their characteristic features - the heaviness and massiveness of sound, which greatly affects the flexibility and mobility. Also this voice is called contralto.