Search notes

• General hints on use

  Because of the nature of the data it is suggested that you experiment with your searches. Try putting in numbers or the word yes. For example yes in the celeste box will show works with a celeste. The number 1 in the oboe box will show works with one oboe.
  
  

• Percussion

  The vexed question of specific instruments and the number of players needed has to be a matter of reference to scores, bearing in mind the agility of the player(s). Cymbals and bass drum are listed as needing separate players.
  
  

• Flutes and recorders.

  Some editors create unclarity translating 'flauto' necessarily as 'flute'. The word is used by Bach and Handel particularly to mean 'recorder'. Research into the composer's meaning in doubtful cases is recommended.
  
  

• Oboes, oboes d'amore and oboes da caccia.

  Passages doubling low-lying string parts are thought to have often been omitted, though the d'amore and da caccia may have been used. Bach uses the d'amore for its sound as well as its range.
  
  

• Bassoons

  Eighteenth century composers normally expected the bassoon to double the string bass part, but in later works the number of actual bassoon parts needs to be checked in scores, as the number of instruments indicated does not necessarily match the number of real parts.
  
  

• Trombones

  The doubling of choir parts by trombones is a matter of taste and style. They were sometimes used for this purpose, though not shown in scores.