Good gentles, This thread brings to mind a concert in April where I was asked to provide archlute continuo for Albinoni's D minor Oboe Concerto and Vivaldi's A minor Cello Concerto.
I agreed, then found out to my horror a week before the concert that the modern string orchestra numbered about 40, not including three Double-Basses. In the reduced sections of both, and slow movement of the the Vivaldi (which only calls for Continuo and Solo Cello), the archlute (67/145 Harz) could be JUST heard. Needless to say, in the fast movements and tutti sections, the archlute was little more than an exotic visual decorative element, though I'm told by those seated at the back and circle that at that distance, after the sounds had blended and bounced a bit, occasional pluckings could be heard. Now comes a question to those of us who have to play, on occasion, with modern instrument ensembles that do baroque music once in a while - does anyone think a louder continuo archlute might be useful? Just my two cents. Edward To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
