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   Notes on the names of characters and places in the Violinist of
        Hameln TV, First Movement, Volume I (episodes 1 - 4)

    Compiled and edited by the Anime Instrumentality Project, 2004
                 (Original version released in 1999)
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This is a transcription of the notes appearing at the end of our
fansubbed release of the Violinist of Hameln, vol. 1.  Additional
notes appear at the end of each volume.  These notes have been
edited for brevity; for more detailed notes, visit our web site:
http://www.instrumentality.org/

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HAMELN
Hameln is the town in Germany where the Pied Piper legend took
place.  In that tale, a man who could play magical music was hired
to rid the town of its rats; however, when the villagers subsequently
refused to pay his price, he used his bewitching music to lead off
all of the village’s children.
More information can be found on the Hameln, Germany home page:
http://www.hameln.de/english/

SFORZANDO
A musical direction, abbreviated sf. or sfz., that indicates that
the note so marked is to be especially emphasized or rendered more
loudly than normal.

DAL SEGNO
Literally “from the sign.”  A musical direction, abbreviated d.s.
or D.S., that indicates that the performer should repeat a portion
of the music starting at an earlier, marked point.

STACCATO
A musical notation, marked by a dot above or below a note, indicating
that the note should be rendered disconnected from surrounding notes
(that is, without a smooth transition between notes).

MARCATO
A musical notation, generally spelled out below a musical bar,
indicating that the designated section is to be played with special
emphasis, in such a manner as to distinguish that section above
others.

ANTHEM
Originally, a composition in prose or verse which was sung
antiphonically (by two voices or choirs).  Now used to refer to any
unmeasured prose composition set to music.

CAPO
A shortened form of “capo tasto” or “capodasto.”  A device attached
to the fingerboard of a stringed instrument, such as a guitar,
consisting of a moveable bar that is used to hold down the strings
at a desired location in order to raise the pitch of the notes
played.

HAMEL
Hamel’s name is derived from Hameln, the name of the town where he
was born.  (This town is named in the manga, but not in the anime.)

FLUTE
The flute is a musical instrument consisting of a hollow pipe with
holes along its length which are stopped by keys or fingers in
various combinations in order to produce different notes.  In older
times, flutes had a mouthpiece affixed to one end; however, around
the 18th century, the German (transverse) flute became dominant.
This flute is the modern flute which has a hole on the side at one
end, across (not into) which the player blows.

OBOE
The oboe is a double-reed wind instrument, formerly called the
hautbois or hautboy, which forms the treble to the bassoon.  Older
variations included the oboe da caccia, which was a fifth of a pitch
lower than a normal oboe and can be heard in some baroque music; and
the obie d’amore, which was of a pitch a minor third below a normal
oboe.

TROM BONE (trombone)
The trombone, also called the great sackbut, is a brass instrument
related to the trumpet, consisting of a long tube, bent back upon
itself twice, with a sliding portion that allows the length of the
tube (and thus the notes produced) to be adjusted.  A variation
employing trumpet-like valves also exists.

RAIEL
This name, written ライエル (“raieru” or “laielu”) in katakana, may
be meant to be a derivative of “lyre,” which could be written the
same way when rendered into katakana.  The lyre is a stringed
instrument, related to the harp, used by the ancient Greeks; their
most common words for it were kiqara (κιθάρα, or κίθαρις [kiqarij]
in Homer’s Greek) and lyra (λύρα).  Different types of lyres may
be found, with different numbers of strings.
(Another theory proposed by some Hameln fans suggests that the
“raiel” is a type of miniature piano; however, we have been unable
to confirm this theory with any musical experts or historical
references at this time.)

HORN
The horn is a class of wind or brass instrument whose chief
characteristic is a flaring or increase in radius of the tube at one
end of the instrument.  The word “horn” is also used to refer to the
trumpet, which can be found in various forms, and which can produce
a variety of notes controlled both by valves and by manipulation of
the user’s mouth and blowing force at the mouthpiece.

CLARI NET (clarinet)
The clarinet is a single-reed woodwind instrument.  It consists of
a reed, a straight tube, and a bell-shaped end.  Its resonance
frequencies are controlled by the covering of holse by fingers or
keys, similarly to a flute.  A deeper variation, the bass clarinet,
also exists, and sounds an octave lower than a normal clarinet.

RESIC (recitativo secco)
Literally “dry recitative.”  A type of operatic recitation, generally
in a declamatory or narrative style, with accompaniment by a keyboard
instrument.

SYRINX
An ancient pipe instrument, also referred to as a mouth organ or
Pan-pipes.  The syrinx has existed since antiquity; its origin is,
in Greek legend, ascribed to the god Pan.

ADAGIO
Literally “at ease.”  A musical direction indicating that a piece
is to be played slowly, leisurely, or gracefully.

VOCALISE
A musical passage consisting of a melody that is sung (vocalized),
but which does not contain words.  Also, a singing exercise using
individual syllables or vowel sounds.

OPERETTA
A short, often lighthearted and humorous opera.  Although a
contemporary operetta may consist of multiple acts, the term
originally referred to a one-act comedic opera.

UNA CORDA
Literally “one string.”  A musical direction instructing a pianist
to use the soft pedal, which on a grand piano softens the tone by
reducing the number of strings hit by the hammer.

TAMBOURINE
An instrument, originally called a timbre or timbrel, that consists
of a wooden hoop with hide or parchment stretched tightly over one
side, with small cymbals (called “jingles”) located on slots around
the hoop.  The player strikes the skin, producing drumming and
chiming sounds.

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