traverso Mus.
(trəˈvɜːsəʊ)
Also traversa.
[a. It.]
= transverse flute s.v. transverse a. 1 d.
| [1776 J. Hawkins Gen. Hist. Sci. & Pract. Mus. II. iv. iv. 452 It seems that the invention of the traverse flute is not to be attributed either to the Germans or the Helvetians.] 1801 Busby Dict. Mus. s.v. Traversa, (Ital.) a German flute. 1884 Grove Dict. Mus. IV. 163/1 Traverso, (Ger. Querflöte), the present form of flute, held square or across (à travers) the performer... In Bach's scores it is called Flauto traverso, Traverso, and Traversiere. 1932 C. S. Terry Bach's Orchestra iv. 79 Bach's treatment of the traverso has peculiar interest. 1938 Oxf. Compan. Mus. 949/1 Traversa, traverso (It.); traversière (Fr.); Traversflöte (Ger.). 1979 Early Music July 357/1 Open and forked fingerings..are basically the same on oboe and traverso. |