Divisi

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Divisi (abbreviated div. ) Is a playing instruction for string instruments in the orchestral setting , according to which polyphonic passages should not be played with double or multiple fingerings, but rather divided as single tones among the players.

The instruction occurs practically only with strings, since only these (in contrast to the wind instruments of the orchestra) are able to produce multiple sounds . If the composer does not want a chord to be realized in double or multiple fingerings on each instrument of the group, but rather that the individual notes are divided between the individual instruments, he must put the term divisi over the relevant passage, otherwise it is assumed that that the passage should be played in double stops. The end of these passages is indicated by tutti or unison . The expressions divisi , tutti , unisono are placed over the respective system as technical instructions . Sometimes it is also stated how many instruments of an association are to take over the division voices (e.g. Italian a 8 [pronounced “a otto”], German to eight and the like).

Although Divisi parts naturally change into two-part polyphonic notation, they are only temporarily set in two or, if necessary, several separate systems where it is not possible otherwise. The reason for the use of divisional sentences lies in the simplification of the game, in the changed sound, which is characterized above all by greater penetration, as it were pointedness, but at the same time becomes more transparent, spherical, less massive. It is common practice for two players to share a so-called desk (the common music stand). With a sentence divisi in 2 it goes without saying (as long as there is no other instruction from the composer) that the left player at each desk takes on one divisi part, the one on the right takes on the other. The divisions do not change the distribution of the sound in the room.

The instruction divisi is usually not used for instruments that are not able to play multiple sounds anyway and therefore always have to divide the notes of a chord into several voices. Therefore, divisi information is unusual for the other orchestral parts, i.e. all winds and choir parts.

See also

literature

  • Michael Dickreiter: Reading the score. A key to the music experience. Schott, Mainz 1997 (1983), ISBN 3-7957-8701-7 , p. 19.
  • Ulrich Michels: dtv atlas on music. dtv, Munich 1977, ISBN 3-423-03022-4 , p. 73.
  • Wieland Ziegenrücker: ABC music. General music theory. Breitkopf & Härtel, Wiesbaden 2009, ISBN 978-3-7651-0309-4 , p. 308.

Web links