Loading…
Loading…
The alto voice part of an early part-book set.
Printed as the label of the alto part in Renaissance part-books and on the corresponding staff of modern editions, often in an original clef or with a modern voice type added.
The altus lies between tenor and cantus; in modern performance it is sung by altos or countertenors. Its lines fill the harmony and take full part in imitation, so it should be as singable and independent as the other voices. Its range often overlaps the tenor’s and the two cross freely, which editions make readable by keeping each voice on its own staff.
Altus is one of 1755 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary: the words, abbreviations and instrument names that appear in printed scores, plus the vocabulary composers use to talk about them.
Browse the full dictionary →