7

I've seen both terms "Overture" and "Ouverture" being used to designate the intro or first part of a multi-part composition. For instance, we have:

Which is the correct term to use to designate the first part of a multi-part piece?

|improve this question
  • 1
    Actually I don't agree with the claim, that Bach omitted the "u", the copy of Anna Magdalena does not support this. From my point of view, as can be seen here English is the minority of not providing an u. So for an international touch and stay at the original I would also keep it. Note, that scores are typically quite international and it is not easy, to establish a national context here. The German word of today would be Ouvertüre. – guidot Feb 12 '18 at 14:53
8

Not surprising Lully spelled it 'ouverture', a although he was born in Florence, he spent his working life in France, where opening is spelled 'ouverture'.

By far the more common spelling is 'overture', but as already stated, either is good and correct. Maybe if it's anything but French, overture is slightly more apposite.

|improve this answer
  • <tangent>I appreciate that words like "apposite" exist to express an idea so concisely. I especially enjoy when I encounter someone who chooses to use them.</tangent> – maxathousand Feb 7 '18 at 19:08
  • 1
    @maxathousand - it did appear to me that apposite was the most apposite word to use... – Tim Feb 7 '18 at 19:10
  • I almost commented that exact thing, hahha. – maxathousand Feb 7 '18 at 19:10
9

In addition to the other answers, you could also just pick a term that you think fits.

This is exactly what Wagner did: occasionally he wrote an overture, other times a Vorspiel ("prelude"; see Das Rheingold), and other times an Einleitung ("introduction"; see Tristan und Isolde).

The point is, you shouldn't feel forced into using the term "overture" if you think something else is more fitting.

|improve this answer
  • 1
    If it's short and builds on the main motif of the piece, even Intonation. – yo' Feb 7 '18 at 15:13
  • It's the same thing though, right? Just different terms and languages for the same idea? – Mast Feb 7 '18 at 19:12
  • I think Wagner intended there to be vague philosophical differences, especially in terms of "setting the stage." But yes, they're all just different terms for "the opening part." – Richard Feb 7 '18 at 19:15
  • @Mast There can be specific meanings for specific words. For instance in church music, you differentiate "Prelude(a)" (usually separate piece intended for the very beginning of the event), "Prelude(b)" (introduction into a song which builds on the melody of the song; unfortunately many languages use the same word for these two) and "Intonation" (a short introduction into a song). However, these three forms can overlap, you can play a prelude(b) in place of prelude(a), but you'd rarely play a prelude(a) as prelude(b). At the same time, the boundary between prelude(b) and intonation is vague. – yo' Feb 8 '18 at 10:56
  • In liturgical music, surely the intonation is what the priest sings before the choir takes over, which is something completely different? – Michael Kay Feb 8 '18 at 18:52
6

Well, they are basically different spellings of the same word, one French and one non-French. So I would use whatever language seems better suitable to you.

|improve this answer
  • Then there is no consensus? – Klangen Feb 7 '18 at 13:11
  • 3
    Pickle - yes there is. They are both correct. – Doktor Mayhem♦ Feb 7 '18 at 13:16
  • @Pickle I believe so. From what I saw, it depends on which langauge the author uses for other stuff, and it's up to the author's taste. – yo' Feb 7 '18 at 13:16
  • Actually (see comment to question) there are lots of other variants, French having the unique advantage of providing the original. There is no really convincing reason to use English spelling for any non-English speaker. – guidot Feb 12 '18 at 15:02
  • @guidot I would argue with this. First, you use what you like. It's your piece and if you decide to name it in Swahili, that's your choice :-) As for "traditions", the tradition is that you commonly use the current "world" language for a lot of things. So even in my Czech sheet music, I use a mixture of Czech, English and Italian for various annotations. – yo' Feb 12 '18 at 15:12
2

This seems like asking, "Some people refer to the thing that fell on Newton's head as 'an apple' and others as 'une pomme'. Which is correct?"

Well, if you're speaking English, it's an apple; if you're speaking French, it's une pomme. Similarly, if you're writing in English, it's an overture and, if you're writing in French, it's une ouverture. Sometimes, though, people who are writing in English might quote the title of a work in French and sometimes they might translate it. So, sticking with Lully, one might refer to the ouverture (italicized because it's a foreign word) of Achille et Polyxène, versus the overture of Achilles and Polyxena.

|improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.