Re: vibrato

[Erica Buxbaum <ericabuxbaum...>]

--- AGREENBA (at) aol(dot)com wrote:
> I guess I should clarify by saying ornament on one
> note rather than pervasive 
> throughout a performance on more than just long
> notes.
Thanks for the clarification. You and Hotteterre are
correct--vibrato started in the baroque era as an
ornament on single long notes, often combined with the
messe di voce. Over time, the number of contexts in
which the use of this ornament was regarded by
theorists (ostensibly representing the opinion of
musicians) as acceptable or in good taste artistically
increased in number. By the 19th century, Spohr has a
long list of such contexts, including those that
earlier theorists had regarded as inappropriate for
vibrato. By the twentieth century, violinists were
using a continuous vibrato, on every note, or close to
it.(You said all this.)

I don't think this is a case of two separate kinds of
things, like the recorder and flute or piano and
harpsichord, because the vibrato is one technique
which, over time, came to be utilized in more and more
contexts. But it is still the same technique, even
though one would wish for some variety in its
application. 

A possible analogy would be, say, that a certain color
like red might have been deemed appropriate only for
small accessories like a pair of gloves at one time;
then later it becomes fashionable to wear red gloves,
shoes and belt; after that good taste comes to
encompass gloves, shoes, belt, hat, and shirt. Later
still, it is in good taste to wear fire engine red for
every piece of clothing and even your hair!

Well, that is just my opinion.
Erica Buxbaum            


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