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Scan 77
Pronouncing dictionary and condensed encyclopedia of musical terms, instruments, composers and important works, 1880
84 lines. Read by computer on 15 September 2026. Printed page 73. See the scan on archive.org.
1Violin, a well known stringed instrument having four strings, and played with a bow. It is the most perfect musical instrument known, of brilliant tone and capable of every variety of expression. When, or by what nation this important instrument was first invented is not at present known.
3Violoncello (Ital. vē-ō-lōn-tshāl'-lō). The large or bass violin; the name is also applied to an organ stop of small scale and crisp tone.
5Viola (Ital. vē-ō'-lā'). A tenor or alto violin. Its four strings are c, g, d'' and a'.
7Violono (Ital. vē-ō-lō'-nō) or Violon, the double bass, the largest of the string family. The 'cello is the little violon. Violin is a feminine diminutive of viola.
9Virginal, a small keyed instrument, much used about the time of Queen Elizabeth, and placed upon a table when played upon. It is supposed to have been the origin of the spinet, as the latter was of the harpsichord.
11Virtuoso (Ital. vēr-too-ō'-zō). A skillful and masterly performer upon some instrument.
13Vivier, E. Born 1821. French horn player and composer.
15Vivo (Ital. vē'-vō). Animated, lively, brisk.
17Vocalize (Ital. vō'-kā-lēz). An exercise for the voice.
19Vocalise, to practice vocal exercises, using vowels and the letter A sounded in the Italian manner (ā) for the purpose of developing the voice, and of acquiring skill and flexibility.
21Voce (Ital. vō'-tshě). The voice.
23Voce Flebile (Ital. vō-tshě flā'-bē-lě). A weeping voice.
25Voce di Petto (Ital. vō'-tshě dē pāt'-tō). The chest voice, the lowest register of the voice.
27Vogel, F. W. F., distinguished Norwegian organist and teacher. B. 1807.
29Vogl, Heinrich. Born 1845. Bavarian tenor singer of high rank.
31Vogl, Therese, wife of H. Born 1845. Also singer in Munich opera. Both she and her husband are admirable interpreters of the chief rôles in Wagner's operas.
33Vieuxtemps, Henri, born in Belgium in 1820, is one of the most renowned violinists of the French school. He has composed much for his instrument, and is professor of the violin at the Brussels Conservatory.
35Viotti, Giovanni Battista, 1753-1824. A renowned master of the violin and the founder of the modern school of violin playing. He wrote many concertos for the violin, and much chamber music.
37Vittori, Loreto, a renowned Italian singer, composer and poet of the latter part of the 16th and the first past of the 17th centuries.
39Vivaldi, Antonio, a distinguished Venetian violinist and composer of the latter half of the 17th century.
41Vogl, J. M., 1794-1822. Distinguished opera singer in Vienna, who introduced many of Schubert's songs to the public.
43Vogler, G. J. Abbé, 1749-1814. Theorist, composer and organist, much admired in his time, but of no great significance in his art.
45Volante (Ital. vō-lān'-tě). Flying; a light and rapid series of notes.
47Volkmar, Wm., Dr., born 1812. Able pianist, organist, theorist and composer. His organ school has permanent value.
49Volkmann, Robert, born 1815. One of the best living composers. Has written symphonies, chamber music, vocal and piano-forte music. D. 1883.
51Voss, Ch., born 1815. Piano teacher in Paris. Writer of popular pieces for piano-forte.
53Vox (Lat. vōx). Voice.
55Vox humana (Lat. vōx hū-mā'-nā). Human voice; an organ reed stop of 8 ft. tone, intended to imitate the human voice, which it sometimes does, though very imperfectly.
57Vox Angelica (Lat. vōx ān-gēl'-ī-kā). An organ stop of 8 ft., usually a free reed.
59Vuillaume, J. B., 1798-1875. The greatest of a large family of distinguished French violin makers.
61Vulpian, M., 1560-1621. Cantor in Weimar, and composer of church music.
63Von Weber, see Weber.
65Volles Werk (Ger. fōl'-lēs vārk). The full organ.
67Voicing, the operation of improving the tone of reeds, pipes, or piano-hammers. In reeds this is done by bending the tongues in certain ways, so as to make the reed speak more quickly, and produce a better tone; in pipes, by regulating the admission of the wind, the size of the mouth, etc.; pianos are voiced by softening the hammers until harsh over-tones are suppressed. In all voicing the principal difficulty is to secure evenness or uniformity of quality.
69Voix Celeste (Fr. vwā sā-lēst'). An organ stop producing a wavy effect, on the same principal as the Unda Maris.
71Volti Subito (Ital. vool'-tē soob'-ē-tō). Turn over quickly. In old music this or the initials V. S. frequently occur at the bottom of a page.
73Vorspiel (Ger. fōr'-spēl). A prelude, an introductory movement or overture.
75Voluntary, an organ or choir piece introduced without announcement.
77Wachtel, Theodore (vākh'-těl). Born 1824 in Hamburg. Was son of a coachman, and himself a coachman. Possesses an extraordinarily fine tenor voice, which he eventually trained and became one of the most admired opera singers in Europe.
79Wagner, Johanna (Jachmann). Born 1828 niece of Richard Wagner. One of the finest dramatic singers of this century, distinguished equally as singer and actress.
81Wagner, Richard, one of the greatest masters who has appeared in dramatic music. Born in 1813. See Chap. LI. D. 1883.
83Wallace, Wm. Vincent, violinist, pianist and composer. Born in Ireland in 1814. His father was master of a military band, and the boy showed great aptitude for it, and at fifteen was successfully occupied in Dublin as a violinist. Then followed concert tours all over the world. His operas were "Mari-tana," composed in 1845, "Lurline" 1860, etc. He also composed a great number of piano pieces, many of which were popular in their day. Died 1865.
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