Dear List,
during a Google search I stumbled upon this apparently old picture:
http://www.allposters.it/-sp/Theorbo-made-by-Giovanni-Krebar-Padua-1629-from-Musical-Instruments-Posters_i6243858_.htm
All "liuti attiorbati" I have seen (Cité de la Musique, Paris) have
double basses and even a double first course. This one, older than the
two displayed at the Cité de la Musique in Paris, has a very interesting
configuration, contradicting long discussions we have had on this (and
other) list before. I wasn't able to find any othe reference to this
instrument, but the following one:
"THE instrument here drawn was made by Giovanni Krebar of Padua in 1629, and
now belongs to Mr. George Donaldson, London.
The body of this instrument is built up of ivory,
the back of the peg-box and neck is also of ivory, and is
delicately engraved with a view of Venice, showing vessels engaged in
firing, and spearmen advancing. Incised dancing and fencing figures
adorn the lower neck ; there is a garden scene with numerous figures
upon the upper neck. By the pegs we find the instrument had eight
bass notes or diapasons ; a single string to each note, and that there
were on the finger-board five double strings and one, the highest,
single — the chanterelle or melody string. In the true theorbo, the
Paduan according to Baron {Untersuchung des Instruments der
Lauten, Nuremberg, 1727, p. 131), — the diapasons were single strings.
When the diapasons were in pairs of strings the instrument was,
according to Mersenne {Harmonie Universelle, Paris, 1636), called
(French) " Luth teorbe " or (Italian) " Liuto attiorbato," a theorboed
lute. It must, however, be admitted that Mersenne's rule is not of
strict application. The single strings introduced, in the first instance,
for basses, at last became general throughout, and banished the
double stringing in lutes, theorboes and guitars. The lutes were,
however, by this time nearly out of use. The name Archlute is given
by different authorities to both Theorbo and Chitarrone (Plate XXL).
The early use of only one string for the highest or melody string
may be seen in representations of lutes by Quattro Cento painters.
The theorbo, however, was not introduced until nearly the end of the
sixteenth century. A very accurate and beautiful painting of one may
be observed in a picture by Terburg in the London National Gallery."
coming from
"INSTRUMENTS
Historic Rare anb Unique
THE SELECTION, INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTIVE NOTES
BY
A. J. HIPKINS, F.S.A. Lond.
AUTHOR OF THE ARTICLE "PIANOFORTE" IN THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA
ILLUSTRATED BY
A SERIES OF FORTY-EIGHT PLATES IN COLOURS
DRAWN BY WILLIAM GIBB
A. AND C. BLACK, LTD.
4, 5 AND 6 SOHO SQUARE, LONDON, W. I
192 I
First published in 1888. "
Does any of the distinguished lute makers reading this list know about Giovanni
Krebar and his liuto attiorbato? Could it be a fake?
Thanks,
Luca
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