Concerning the Thoroughbass or Continuo

Abstract The meaning, treatment, and usage of the thoroughbass, basso continuo, or bassus prorgano and other important issues including (a) what is desirable in an organist, lutenist, harpist, and (b) how each of them should use their instrument according to its character. The Bassus generalis or continuo is so called because it continues from the beginning of the piece to the end and, as principal part, contains within itself the entire motet or concerto. It is quite common in Italy, especially in the works of the outstanding composer Lodovico Viadana, the superb creator of this new art, who devised and published the method of having one, two, three, or four voices sing to the sole accompaniment of an organ, regal, or other fundamental instrument. It is therefore necessary that such a thoroughbass and continuo part for the organist or lutenist, etc. be available as a foundation.