Violotta
Encyclopedia
A violotta is a tenor viola
(or tenor violin
) invented by the German
luthier
Alfred Stelzner
and patented in 1891. It is tuned in G D A E, an octave below the violin. Other instruments called "tenor violin
" were tuned a step lower: F C G D (a fifth below the viola).
It is rarely used by composers. One of the few works where it is used is the String Quintet
in A by Felix Draeseke
. It is also used in Max von Schillings
' opera Der Pfeifertag (1899), and in Sergei Taneyev
's String Trio in Eb major, Op 31 (1911).
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
(or tenor violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
) invented by the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
luthier
Luthier
A luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string instruments. In the United States, the term is used interchangeably with a term for the specialty of each maker, such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc...
Alfred Stelzner
Alfred Stelzner
Alfred Stelzner was a composer and designer of string instruments.Alfred Stelzner was born in Hamburg, Germany and educated in music, physics and mathematics. He produced string instruments of his own design in Wiesbaden and then in Dresden. Two instruments of his invention were the violotta and...
and patented in 1891. It is tuned in G D A E, an octave below the violin. Other instruments called "tenor violin
Tenor violin
A tenor violin is an instrument with a range between those of the cello and the viola. An earlier development of the evolution of the violin family of instruments, the instrument is not standard in the modern symphony orchestra...
" were tuned a step lower: F C G D (a fifth below the viola).
It is rarely used by composers. One of the few works where it is used is the String Quintet
String quintet
A string quintet is a musical composition for a standard string quartet supplemented by a fifth string instrument, usually a second viola or a second cello , but occasionally a double bass. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who favoured addition of a viola, is considered a pioneer of the form...
in A by Felix Draeseke
Felix Draeseke
Felix August Bernhard Draeseke was a composer of the "New German School" admiring Liszt and Richard Wagner. He wrote compositions in most forms including eight operas and stage works, four symphonies, and much vocal and chamber music.-Life:Felix Draeseke was born in the Franconian ducal town of...
. It is also used in Max von Schillings
Max von Schillings
Max von Schillings was a German conductor, composer and theatre director. He was chief conductor at the Berlin State Opera from 1919 to 1925....
' opera Der Pfeifertag (1899), and in Sergei Taneyev
Sergei Taneyev
Sergei Ivanovich Taneyev , was a Russian composer, pianist, teacher of composition, music theorist and author.-Life:...
's String Trio in Eb major, Op 31 (1911).
Discography
- 1971? - Hurst, Alberta. Alberta Hurst, Tenor Violin. LP. Los Angeles, California: Crystal Records. (Contains music arranged for tenor violin by Boccherini, Bach, Telemann, and Gal.)