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Stimmführer

English translation: section leader

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Stimmführer
English translation:section leader
Entered by: Chris Rowson (X)

20:52 May 13, 2006
German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Music
German term or phrase: Stimmführer
I have two occurrences of this in the introductory text for a CD of music by Torelli and others. It concerns the first appearance of the concertino/ripieno distinction which was to characterise the concerto in the 18thC, and makes reference to Torelli´s explicit request that the parts should be multipled – i.e. several first violins, several violas, etc.

“In Torellis nächstem Druck, …, wird dieser Klangzuwachs an einigen Stellen … durch die Anweisung Solo rückgängig gemacht. Hier hatten die jeweiligen Stimmführer – ohne Verstärkung aus dem eigenen Register – kurze Figurationen zu spielen.“

“Den Begriff Concerto grosso verwendete er lediglich als Bezeichnung für die zu den Stimmführern hinzutretenden, klangverstärkenden Instrumente.“

I understand that “Stimmführer” is referring to the leader of each section, e.g. the lead viola player, but I can´t think of an appropriate way to express this. I have a dim memory of there being a modern orchestral term that might be appropriate for this, but can´t think what it is.
Chris Rowson (X)
Local time: 22:55
section leader
Explanation:
In an orchestra, the "first" player in each section (group all playing the same instrument and reading the same part, e.g. viola, or horn 1) is called the section leader, or the principal (of the section).

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Note added at 1 hr (2006-05-13 22:46:36 GMT)
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After further investigation: apparently usually called "principal" in professional orchestras and "section leader" in amateur ones and in conversation. "Section leader" is really for whole "section" (e.g. strings or brass). http://dict.leo.org/archiv.ende/2004_12/02/20041202220648e_e...
Selected response from:

Oliver Walter
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:55
Grading comment
Thanks everyone! “Principal” was what I was looking for and used. I don´t think “lead” can be used here because it belongs to ordinary music and the usage seems unnatural in the “classical” ghetto.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2section leader
Oliver Walter
3lead
Erich Friese


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


28 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
lead


Explanation:
............(erste Stimme) commonly used, as opposed to singing 'harmony' (zweite Stimme)...><))))>.....

Erich Friese
Australia
Local time: 06:55
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
section leader


Explanation:
In an orchestra, the "first" player in each section (group all playing the same instrument and reading the same part, e.g. viola, or horn 1) is called the section leader, or the principal (of the section).

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2006-05-13 22:46:36 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

After further investigation: apparently usually called "principal" in professional orchestras and "section leader" in amateur ones and in conversation. "Section leader" is really for whole "section" (e.g. strings or brass). http://dict.leo.org/archiv.ende/2004_12/02/20041202220648e_e...

Oliver Walter
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:55
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thanks everyone! “Principal” was what I was looking for and used. I don´t think “lead” can be used here because it belongs to ordinary music and the usage seems unnatural in the “classical” ghetto.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  heikeb: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchestra; see organsization
8 hrs
  -> Thanks. BTW, remove ";" from the end of your link.
agree  Nicole Y. Adams, M.A.
11 hrs
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