NoteWorthy Composer Forum

Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rick G. on 2009-09-04 03:59 PM

Title: OT: Meaning of parentheses in figured bass?
Post by: Rick G. on 2009-09-04 03:59 PM
The attachment is a snippet of Bach's BWV 140 that I am trying to realize.

What is the meaning and effect of the parentheses?
Title: Re: OT: Meaning of parentheses in figured bass?
Post by: William Ashworth on 2009-09-04 04:58 PM
Probably that they were added by the editor. They may represent interpretive styles that were so well understood in the 18th century that the composer didn't bother notating them (there are a lot of those in early music). Or they may simply be places the editor thought should be interpreted that way.