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| Other names | The New Violin Family |
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Theviolin octet is a family of stringed instruments developed in the 20th century primarily under the direction of the AmericanluthierCarleen Hutchins. Each instrument is based directly on the traditionalviolin and shares its acoustical properties, with the goal of a richer and more homogeneous sound. Unlike the standard modern stringed instruments, the main resonance of the body of the violin octet instrument is at a pitch near the two middle open strings, giving the instruments a more balanced, clearer sound.
The instruments were proposed by composerHenry Brant in 1957 and the first octet was completed in 1967.
The instruments of the violin octet are:
| Instrument | Range | Tuning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treble violin |  | G4–D5–A5–E6, tuned anoctave above theviolin, like theKit violin or pochette[1] or the two "kleine Poschen" of theSyntagma Musicum ofMichael Praetorius[2] | About the size of a1⁄4 violin |
| Soprano violin |  | C4–G4–D5–A5, tuned afourth above theviolin, like theviolino piccolo | About the size of a3⁄4 violin |
| Mezzo violin |  | G3–D4–A4–E5, tuned thesame as theviolin | The body is slightly longer (368–381 mm; 14.5–15.0 in) than a conventional violin (355 mm; 14.0 in) but the strings are about the same length (328–338 mm; 12.9–13.3 in) |
| Alto violin |  | C3–G3–D4–A4, tuned thesame as theviola | Similar to a viola but larger, and is often played upright, like a cello |
| Tenor violin |  | G2–D3–A3–E4, tuned anoctave below a standardviolin, like the historicaltenor violin | The body is similar to a1⁄2 cello but with thinner ribs and a longer neck |
| Baritone violin |  | C2–G2–D3–A3, tuned thesame as acello | Larger than a conventional cello |
| Smallbass violin |  | A1–D2–G2–C3, tuned afourth above adouble bassor G1–D2–A2–E3, tuned afourth below a cello.[3] | About the size of a5⁄8 double bass; played like a double-bass or sitting down (like a cello) |
| Contrabass violin |  | E1–A1–D2–G2, tuned thesame as adouble bassor C1–G1–D2–A2, tuned anoctave below a cello. | Larger than a conventional double bass; played like a double bass |
Note: While theSmall Bass andContrabass violins were designed and originally meant to be tuned in fifths, most bassists find the required extra shifting impractical. The former[4]New Violin Family Association listed tunings for these instruments in fourths, while the Hutchins Quartet retains the original fifths tuning.
Carleen Hutchins did not design specific bows for the instruments of the violin octet. This is important research which still has not been completed.[according to whom?] Players of these instruments use a variety of violin, viola, cello and double-bass bows, looking for the best fit they can at the moment.
Currently, there are three performing groups which play and record on the instruments of the violin octet.[dubious –discuss] The Hutchins Consort (based inSan Diego, California) plays on Carleen Hutchins' instruments. The Hutchins Consort Quartet is a subset of the consort and plays on soprano violin, tenor violin, baritone violin and contrabass violin. The Albert Consort (based inIthaca, New York) uses a set of instruments made by Robert Spear and the New Violin Family Orchestra, organized by the associationOctavivoArchived 2013-05-16 at theWayback Machine, which also uses instruments made by Robert Spear.
The instruments of the violin octet do not necessarily have to be used in the context of the consort and for playing music written especially for them. They can also be used as alternatives to members of the usualviolin family: for example anystring quartet could be played by an ensemble consisting of two mezzo violins, one alto violin and one baritone violin, as an alternative to the two violins, viola and cello of the usual string quartet.
The best-known use of a member of the New Violin Family in this sort of role is that of analto violin byYo-Yo Ma to perform and recordBéla Bartók'sViola Concerto.
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