-Oxford Dictionary of Music-Oxford University Press, USA.pdf

A
A. Note of the scale (6th degree of natural scale of C). Hence Ab, Abb, Anat., A#, A##, A major,
A minor, etc. A is monly used for tuning instr. (orchs. tune to the ob. A). A = 440
vibrations per second, internationally accepted since 1939, although some orchs. still accept A =
435 and (in USA) A = 445.
A (It.), À (Fr.). At, by, for, with, in, to, in the manner of, etc. For expressions beginning with A or
À, . A cappella, Atempo, see under their own entries. `A 2' in orch. scores and parts directs (a) 2
instr. that normally play separate parts (. the 2 ob. or 2 fl.) to play in unison, or (b) 2 or more
instr. that normally play in unison (. 1st vns.) to divide to play the separate parts provided for
them.
A. Analytical term used to describe first section of a piece of music, . A B A = first section,
different section, first section repeated, as in many songs.
A. Abbreviation for accelerando found particularly in Elgar's scores.
. Associate of the American Guild anists.
Ab (Ger.). Off. . mus., applied to a stop no longer required.
ABA. Term of analysis to describe form of a piece of mus., . 1st section (A) followed by different
section (B) followed by repeat of 1st section (A). Many permutations possible.
Abaco, Evaristo Felice dall' (b Verona, 1675; d Munich, 1742).It. violinist poser at the
Munich court; wrote sonatas and concs. for vn., vc., etc.
Abandonné (Fr.). Negligent (in such an expressionas Un rhythme un peu abandonné---rhythm
rather free-and-easy).
Abbà-Cornaglia, Pietro (b Alessandria, Piedmont, 1851; d Alessandria, 1894). It. composer and
organist. Operas incl. Isabella Spinola (1877) and Una partitadi hi (1892). Also wrote a
requiem and chamber mus.
Abbado,Claudio (b Milan, 1933). It. cond. Studied pf. p., Verdi Acad., Milan, and cond. in
Vienna. Won Koussevitzky Award at Berkshire Music Center, 1958, Mitropoulos prize, 1963.
Cond. Berlin . 1964 and at Salzburg Fest. 1965. Pri