Double Bass Vivaldi Cello Sonatas Piano Part

[t-bag]

Hi
I have a cello edition of the Vivaldi Cello Sonatas and was wondering if I play the cello part an 8ve lower on double bass do I need to adjust the piano part? What do the double bass editions do?

 

[neilG]

I'm not familiar with the bass editions, but in theory, if you play the solo line down an octave you should play the bass line down also. The composer wrote only those two lines and to play the solo down an octave creates relationships that are not intended and often not proper for the period. Nearly all the chords will be in the wrong inversions. Having said that, the average non-musician modern listener probably won't notice and will hear the music as monodic and not contrapuntal.
Playing the bass line down on the piano can sound muddy. You need a pianist with a light touch. Maybe on the harpsichord it sounds clearer, but I've never heard it done.

 

[mcnaire2004]

Just play the piano part as written. The bass editions of these sonata's are written in the same place as the cello, and the piano part is the same.

 

[Simandl Fan]

The bass doesn't speak as well as the cello when played as written, and cello accompaniments often cover the bass. For the Vivaldi sonatas, I prefer the Schott edition to the International for that reason.

 

[tappingtrance]

ok help me understand why these cello sonatas are recorded a half step down? reverse solo tuning on cello? I mean we are talking the sonata is in Bb and recorded in A?

 

[neilG]

ok help me understand why these cello sonatas are recorded a half step down? reverse solo tuning on cello? I mean we are talking the sonata is in Bb and recorded in A?

You are most likely listening to a performance using one of the tunings used in that period which is A= 415, exactly a half step lower than A=440.

 

[tappingtrance]

You are most likely listening to a performance using one of the tunings used in that period which is A= 415, exactly a half step lower than A=440.

Never new that - I did get Tortelier CD and it is in Bb and is absolutely brilliant. I have been working on them original pitch to build up thumb position and it is a great study.

http://www.amazon.com/Vivaldi-Cello...qid=1384726912&sr=8-8&keywords=Paul+Tortelier