Bettina Hoffmann
Catalogue of Solo and Chamber Music for Viola da Gamba
Quentin, Jean-Baptiste le jeune
Simphonie a quatre partie in A major for 2 high instruments, viol or violin and basso continuo
in
Sonate et simphonies en trio et à quatre parties […], op. XVII, 3
Paris, auteur, Mme Boivin, Le Clerc
F-Pn (incomplete, bass part missing), NL-Uim, US-Wc
The third voice of this Simphonie à quatre parties bears the indication «violon ou violle». The range of the part makes it suitable for a dessus or pardessus de viole.
The first and second parts bear no instrumental indication in the titles of the part books or of the piece itself. Given Quentin's other similar collections, violins and flutes are certainly the first candidates. The range of this parts and some double stops asks for violins in some movements, others are suitable for flutes as well. In one movement, Tendrement, the first part is labelled «Flute ou Violon seule».
Although the title page names the viol with apparent reference to the entire work, an independent part for the viol is found only in this Simphonie.
A/I: Q 58, ID 990053353
