Scan 36
The New Encyclopedia of Music and Musicians, 1924
66 lines. Read by computer on 16 September 2026. Printed page 18. See the scan on archive.org.
1Dei, being a hymn of adoration after the consecration of the Elements. G.
3The text is 'Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini', with the Hosanna repeated from the Sanctus.
5Also a canticle or its musical setting, the text taken from the Song of Zacharias in Luke i. 68-79, used in the Morning Prayer of the Anglican Church.
7The text begins, 'Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel.'
9Berceuse. A cradle-song or lullaby, or an instrumental piece in similar style. G.
11Bergamasca, Bergomask. A dance or dance-tune named from Bergamo (Italy), though not always in a form like local dances there. G.
13Vocal bergamasce are known as early as 1569 and an instrumental one from 1642 (Uccellini's Sonatas), but in the latter the name is apparently applied to the basso ostinato of the piece.
15Bergkreyen, Bergreihen. Originally, dance-tunes from the Erzgebirge (Saxony), but at the time of the Reformation such tunes fitted with either secular or sacred words (various collections from 1531 onward).
17Bible-Organ, Bible-Regal. A small portative organ, made to close up in covers like those of a book. See Regal.
19Bichord. Denoting an instrument with two unison-strings for each tone or key, as in various forms of lute, in many old keyboard-instruments, etc.; cf. trichord.
21Bicinium. A composition for two voices; a vocal duet (usually contrapuntal). G.
23Binary. Denoting anything consisting of two parts or elements; specifically, binary measure, a measure or foot with two beats (dupe rhythm), and binary form, either a form of composition divided into two contrasted sections (as in many dances) or one based upon two principal themes (as in sonata-form).
25Bind. Usually same as tie; sometimes same as slur or brace. See Notation. G.
27Bird-Song. Though many animals have voices analogous to that of man, none produce vocal effects of a highly musical character except certain of the birds. The oscines or singing-birds comprise thirty or more species. In these, as in some others, there is a remarkable development of a lower larynx or syrinx, including parts of both trachea and the upper bronchi. Within the syrinx are vibratile membranes analogous in function to the vocal cords in man, controlled by muscles that often allow a wide range of pitch in the tones produced. Some birds confine themselves to a few calls that are repeated without much change. Others not only use a variety of melodies spontaneously, but have more or less readiness in imitating or parodying melodies that they hear. The analogies with human song are often extraordinary, though not easy to reduce to musical notation because of the acuteness of the pitch and the frequency of small intervals. These phenomena may have had influence at times upon figures and embellishments in florid vocalization. Throughout the 18th century the so-called aria d'imitazione was often applied to ornate effects simulating bird-song. Instrumental writing has also often sought to suggest the warblings and calls of birds either for their tonal value or as an element of pictorial suggestion.
29Bissex. A form of guitar, invented in 1770 by Vanhecke, having 12 strings, half of which ran over the fingerboard and half were open; cf. bandola.
31Biwa. A Japanese lute or mandolin with 4 strings, played with a plectrum.
33Black. In notation, denoting a note with a solid head (as opposed to one with a white or open head); see Notation. On the keyboard, denoting a key or digital in the rear or upper rank, topped with ebony or stained like it; see Keyboard and note under White.
35Block. See reed-pipe under Pipe.
37Blocking. A derangement in the action of a harpsichord or piano in which the jack does not carry the spine past the string or the hammer does not recoil after striking, in either case producing a dull thud instead of a tone.
39Blower. Specifically, one who operates the feeders that supply air to the bellows of an organ; also a machine, usually hydraulic or electric, that performs the same function.
41Bluette. A short and playful comedy; also a light or trifling piece for the piano.
43Boat-Song. See Barcarolle, Gondoliera, etc.
45Bob. In English bell-ringing, the name for changes rung on an even number of bells—bob minor for six, major for eight, royal for ten, maximus for twelve. G.
47Bobization, Bocedization. See Solmization.
49Bockstriller. An instrumental effect consisting of the interrupted iteration of a single tone.
51Body. In most instruments, the main portion of the structure, such as the resonance-box of any member of the lute- or viol-families, or the central tube (apart from the mouthpiece, the bell, etc.) of both wood- and brass-instruments, the tube of an organ-pipe from the mouth upwards (opposed to the foot), etc.
53The term is also loosely applied to the general sonority or resonance of a tone.
55Bogenflügel, Bogenklavier. A keyboard-instrument with strings sounded by the friction of revolving wheels or little bows, so as to simulate the tone of a violin; a violin-paino.
57Examples are Heyden's Geigenclavicymbal (1610), Gleichmann's Claviergambe (1709), Hohlfeld's Bogenklavier (1754), Meyer zu Znonow's and Kunze's Bogenflügel (1790, '95) and Rollig's Xänorphika (1797).
59Bolero. See Dances. G.
61Bombard, Bomhart. The older type of oboe; made in several sizes, shading into the shawm. This group of instruments constituted the nucleus of the early orchestra, before the full recognition of the superiority of the violin and its relatives. Also called pommer. G.
63The modern bassoon is essentially a bass-bombard with the tube doubled on itself.
65Bombardon. A bass-instrument of the trumpet- or saxhorn-families, much used in military bands. G.
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