Page 1 of 1

Repetitions in early classical notation

Posted: 12 Sep 2023, 16:19
by Bernd14
Hi everyone,
I just signed up to this forum to ask this question. In the attached image there are a few places in the manuscript where the composer used a wavy line to indicate that the pattern should be repeated (or so I assume). I just don't get what c. B. stands for in the viola part...
Does anybody have an idea? For reference this is 'Abraham auf Morija' an oratorio by Joh. Heinr. Rolle. The manuscript is available on IMSLP.
Thanks for anyone that is willing to look into this. And I'm looking forward to being a part of this community.

Re: Repetitions in early classical notation

Posted: 12 Sep 2023, 16:43
by Fred G. Unn
"col" (with) or just "c" has been manuscript shorthand for centuries. I'm assuming here it just means the Viola continues the same line as the Basso Continuo group (Fondamento) but at the octave above as notated.

Re: Repetitions in early classical notation

Posted: 12 Sep 2023, 17:54
by Bernd14
That makes sense. Thank you very much.
On the next page there are a few instances of c. VV. Or something that looks similar. Would that mean 'as above'?

Re: Repetitions in early classical notation

Posted: 13 Sep 2023, 08:19
by Callasmaniac
That would be "col Violini" - with violins.

Re: Repetitions in early classical notation

Posted: 13 Sep 2023, 12:04
by John Ruggero
The symbol that looks like a trill squiggle finished off with an upward flourish is a "custos" which was usually used as a guide or warning at the end of the staff to indicate the pitch of the next note on the following line. Here it is being used to show the first note of the abbreviated groups.

Re: Repetitions in early classical notation

Posted: 13 Sep 2023, 13:55
by Bernd14
Thank you very much.

Re: Repetitions in early classical notation

Posted: 14 Sep 2023, 03:09
by John Ruggero
You are very welcome, Bernd14. It's an interesting case.

And welcome to Notat.io! Please post other items of interest.