The Arpeggione

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look at an instrument called the arpeggione. The arpeggione is a string instrument developed by Johann George Staufer. This paper dissects the creation of the arpeggione and discusses why its specific qualities made it into a unique entrant into the viola family. The paper also examines music that has been specifically written for the arpeggione, and how it structurally differs from that of traditional music.

From the Paper:

"The lack of success with opera is a story that reflects on why the arpeggione sonata was written in the first place. Schubert entered into the opera scene mainly at the behest of his close friend. Schubert places a heavy emphasis on his friendships within this period and as a result, would write many of his pieces to express his devotion to friends and colleagues. Since he was a close friend Staufer, the maker of the instrument, probably requested that the sonata be written specifically for the arpeggione. There was no direct evidence that Schubert received payment or even a commission request for this piece. Therefore many contemporary critics term him the "composer of Friendship". Therefore as author Harmon Milner explains it, to understand Schubert's actual modus operandi, one must start by looking at his closest friends and colleagues, because they form the "epicenter of his motivation"."

Sample of Sources Used:

• THE ARPEGGIONE. (2004, May 7). Retrieved October 18, 2006, from http://www.discordia-music.com/Arpeggione_Project/the_arpeggione.htm
• Schubert Society of the USA. (2006, August 19). Retrieved October 18, 2006, from http://www.schubertsocietyusa.org/arpeggione.html
• Duo, S. (1979, December). Arpeggione Sonata. Musical Times, 120(1642).
• Rutledge, J. (1984, August). Towards a History of the Viol in the 19th Century . Early Music, 12, (No. 3).
• Clive, Peter. Schubert and His World: A Biographical Dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University, 1997.

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