Viola da gamba. Leg viol, the bass of the viol family, held between the knees, like the violoncello, when played. It had six strings, the lowest of which was the D below the bass stave, and its finger-board was fretted. Its tone (like that of all the viol class) was weak compared to the violoncello.

Viola pomposa, an instrument invented by Bach. See p. [157].

Violetta. This instrument occurs in the cantata “Herr Gott dich loben wir” as an alternative of the “oboe di caccia.” It is described by Walther as a fiddle (Geige) playing an inner part, constructed like a viola, or small viola da gamba.

Violino piccolo. A small violin whose lowest string was a fourth higher than that of the violin. Its tuning was therefore C, G, D, A, an octave above the viola. It frequently occurs in Bach’s scores.

Violoncello piccolo, with five strings. This instrument occurs in the score of a tenor aria in cantata No. 41, “Jesu nur sei gepreiset.” The additional string was tuned to E, and enabled the performer to execute the very florid high passages which Bach writes.

Ziegler, Christiane Mariane von, who wrote words for some of the cantatas was born in 1695 at Leipsic. Began to publish poems when she was fifteen. Left a widow in 1722, she devoted herself to writing poetry and the practice of the keyboard instruments and lute, and flute, and was held in honour by the most artistic society of her time. Spitta gives an account of her life in Curtius’ Historische Aufsätze, 1884. See p. [197].

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