Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/A/Ancient sharp signatures

by John Weeks Moore

Ancient sharp signatures. The ancient signature of one skimp is applicable to the keys of D major and It minor; but the sharp signatures of this ancient method are never found in the minor mode; for, as the second, or supertonic of the key would then require an accidental sharp, the irregularity of the signature would perpetually occur. In the solos of Corelli, however, several in-Mimeos occur of the ancient sharp signature in the major mode, viz.: the sixth and ninth sonatas in two sharps are in the key of A major; and the G sharp is accidentally inserted. The eleventh sonata of the same work hears the signature of three sharps, and is in the key of E major, the D sharp being inserted accidentally. Handel's duet, in the oratorio of "Athalia," "Joys in gentle train appearing," is also in this by. and has this signature. The ancient signature of thin- sharps is found in Handel's beautiful air, "Rendi il aereno al ciglio," from the opera "Sosarmes." This is in B major, with the sharp to its leading note, A, occasionally inserted. It was also introduced in 1786, by Dr. Arnold, in the oratorio of "Redemption," to the words, "Lord, remember David."