Well, I really meant "normally" because we have loads or surviving liuti
attiorbati which are strung 7x2+7x2 therefore in terms of historical
evidence I take it to be "normal".
I agree there were many variations in the 17th century but that is no
excuse for anyone to claim that we can just do whatever we like and
still claim it is "historical". Of course as long as there is no such
claim it's fine! What bothers me is that we now see the totally
single-strung (with wound basses, of course) liuto attiorbato as the
standard modern continuo instrument in everything from Dowland to
Vivaldi. As far as I'm concerned, it's a modern "folk" instrument.
Nothing wrong with it except the claim that it is somehow "historical".
M
On 16/06/2015 17:29, Jean-Marie Poirier wrote:
Agreed Martin, although I fully appreciate your careful use of "normally"
regarding double basses on the arciliuto ;-) !
I nevertheless have some doubts about the concept of "normality" applied to 17th century
instrument making... "Je doute donc je suis" (René Descartes) :-) !!!
Best wishes,
Jean-Marie
--------------
One feature which might point us in the direction of an archlute is that
we can only see 11 pegs on the petit jeu, implying a single top string -
but of course as this is right at the edge of the painting it could be
just a choice the painter made. When I say "archlute" of course I mean
a large 17th century continuo archlute, not a liuto attiorbato, which
would normally have double basses.
M
On 16/06/2015 14:41, Jean-Marie Poirier wrote:
Looks more like an archlute to me, including double courses on the petit jeu
and single basses...
Jean-Marie
--------------
Here's a nice picture:
http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/neapolitan-school-17th-century-portrait-of-a-5916349-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5916349&sid=cffbc3d2-7de9-403b-a31a-94f4bc307181
Not a modern theorbo. An old tiorba with double courses on the petit jeu.
Enjoy!
Andreas
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