dolcian

English

Noun

dolcian (plural dolcians)

1. Alternative form of dulcian
   • 1906, English Music 1604 to 1904: Being the Lectures Given at the Music Loan Exhibition of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, Held at Fishmongers’ Hall, London Bridge, June-July, 1904, page 350:

     In the sourdines, and also in the dolcians (a variety of bassoon or fagotto), the open ends were partly closed, apparently with the object of smothering up or minimizing the harsh tones of the reeds then used, which result in modern practice is obtained by the refinement of the reed itself.

   • 1961, The Musical Quarterly, page 370:

     […] the shepherds of the 1567 intermedii performed to the sound of five dolcians and a trombone.

   • 2003, Stephen Bonta, Studies in Italian Sacred and Instrumental Music in the 17th Century, Ashgate/Variorum, →ISBN, page 11:

     Praetorius says, “It is very good, and indeed almost essential, to have this same General Bass played in addition by some bass instrument, such as a bassoon, a dolcian, or a trombone, or best of all on a violone.”