Les Vingt-quatre Violons du Roi
The Vingt- quatre Violons du Roy, in today's writing also Vingt- quatre Violons du roi, was a famous, five voices occupied String Orchestra at the French court, which existed 1626-1761.
History
The Vingt- quatre Violons du Roy ( German: " 24 Strings of the King" ) was in 1626 under Louis XIII. founded. As an important part of the Musique de la Chambre they had a major role in the design of musical festivities and official occasions at the French court in Versailles palace. If necessary, they were reinforced by the wind instruments Grande Ecurie ( an ensemble that was responsible for open-air events and military events in the first place), or appeared with the orchestra of the opera. Members of the Vingt- quatre Violons had to have an impeccable reputation and his Roman Catholic. Their privileges included, as well tax abatement for permission to carry a sword. The members of the ensemble called themselves " Violon du Roy " the leader " Roi des Violons ," the membership could be bought or inherited. Among the ensemble members were, for example, Jean -Baptiste Lully, Jean -Marie Leclair, Jean- Fery Rebel and his son François Rebel and Jacques Aubert.
Jean -Baptiste Lully, " surintendant ( superintendent ) de la musique instrumental " and " Maitre de la musique de la famille royale " ( music teacher of the royal family ) was not satisfied with performance and discipline of the Violons and obtained for his employer Louis XIV permission 1655/56 to establish a separate, smaller ensemble, Les Petits Violons de Lully. It was at 16, later occupied 21 strings and two soprano tines and two bassoons. The light passing to the Vingt- quatre Violons compete orchestra was also called La petite bande; Vingt- quatre Violons the other hand, received the nickname La grande bande.
1761 ( which until then had charge of religious ceremonies ensemble) was the orchestra, mainly for financial reasons, dissolved and merged with the Royal Chapel.
Occupation
The five-part composition of the Vingt- quatre Violons was formed by 5 different sized string instruments with the following designation:
- 6 premiers violons (first violins, Mood: g - d1 - a1 - e2)
- 4 hautes- contre, 37.5 cm Body length: (mood: c - g - d1 - a1)
- 4 tailles, 45 cm Body length: (mood: c - g - d1 - a1)
- 4 quintes, 52.5 cm Body length: (mood: c - g - d1 - a1)
- 6 basses de violon (mood: B - F - c - g)
The violins were so-called " alla francese Violino " and " Violino piccolo " and had a slightly smaller body size than the Italian model. The three middle parts were played by three violas in the same mood, but with different sizes according to different timbre and volume that have disappeared from today's music practice. The two deeper violas, corresponded approximately to the otherwise designated as a tenor viola instrument. The bass instrument ( an instrument similar to the violone ) was a whole tone lower than today voted cello. Lully changed the cast later; the fourth voice was only three times, occupied the bass voice of five and is complemented by two double basses. The occupation of the Vingt- quatre Violons continued to influence for the five-part string writing that dominated in France in the 17th and 18th centuries.