In answer to Steve's question, somewhere in my bookshelves there is a book that states almost that.
> Just me with my highly imperfect knowledge of music and history, but is it possible the use of music stands has something to do with the rise of ensembles larger than those that could comfortably gather around a table? > > Best, > Steve I'm not sure if it the one on the Craft of Composition (1450-1600), or somewhere else. I can't find in the index of Composers at Work (the main title of the above mentioned), but my vague memory says that the scores were separated with the advent of being able to print the separate copies so everyone didn't have to look at one. This, of course, applies more the the choral singing that was more commonly written out than the instrumental in the earlier days. Whether it was the stand, or the ability to produce extra copies at a reasonable price, I can't say (more likely the latter). But I'm sure that I've seen in a scholarly account that point made. The ability for the musicians to have their own copy of the music allowed a larger group. I'll look for the reference. Best, Jon To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
