Development and History of the Vielle (Fidula)
The vielle, also known as the fidula, is a historical bowed string instrument that spread throughout Europe from the medieval period through the Renaissance. It has a long and fascinating history, associated with the development of European string instruments and bowed music. The precursor to today’s bowed instruments, the vielle played a key role in early European music and was used in various cultural and musical contexts.
1. Origins of the Vielle: Medieval Period (9th – 13th Century)
First Mentions and Origins
The vielle, or fidula, was known in medieval Europe as a bowed instrument that evolved from Arab-Islamic and Byzantine musical traditions. The origin of the vielle is often linked to the introduction of Islamic instruments, particularly the rebab (which was brought to Europe in the early Middle Ages) and the rabab (known in medieval Europe as the rebec), a precursor to modern bowed instruments.
The first mentions of the vielle and its variations date back to the 9th century, with the instrument often having three or four strings. It was primarily used in military and popular music.
Medieval Vielle
In the early medieval period, the vielle was primarily used for accompaniment, especially during religious ceremonies and festivals. At that time, it was largely considered a “primitive” instrument—played mainly in folk music or for religious and communal events.
2. Rise and Development of the Vielle in the 12th – 14th Century
Golden Age of the Vielle
From the 12th to the 14th centuries, during the height of Gothic music, the vielle gained popularity among courts and in medieval cities. The instrument became a favorite among professional musicians who performed for kings, nobility, and the church.
During this period, several different types of vielle were developed. In addition to smaller versions that were played “at the body,” larger models with more strings and longer bodies began to appear, which allowed for a deeper and more powerful sound. The most commonly used versions of the vielle had three to five strings. The vielle was also used for dance music, particularly during formal court occasions.
Playing Technique
The vielle was played with a bow (often with a simpler, straighter shape than modern bows) and was commonly played in pairs or trios to create harmonic accompaniment for song or dance. During this period, the vielle was often seen as a lower-status instrument, more commonly used for folk and troubadour music.
3. The Vielle in the 14th – 16th Centuries: The Renaissance and the Variety of Instruments
Further Development
In the 14th century, particularly during the Gothic and early Renaissance periods, the vielle began to evolve into a wide variety of types and forms. Prominent makers began experimenting with different body shapes and tunings, leading to new versions of the vielle with five or more strings. During this period, larger versions with additional bass strings were developed, making the vielle suitable for more complex and professional musical contexts.
Composers and Musicians
The vielle became widely used in court music and church music during the early Renaissance. It was especially popular at the French and English royal courts, where it was used for dances and social events. It was also a staple in church music during this time. Many compositions for the vielle were written, both for solo performance and for accompaniment.
Popularity in Folk Dances
During the Renaissance, the vielle became an essential part of the music for dances. Musicians used the vielle in many types of social and dance events, including courtly dances, where it was one of the primary instruments for rhythmic accompaniment. During this time, there was also a growing emphasis on using the vielle in musical ensembles, where it was combined with other instruments such as lutes, sackbuts, and dulcians.
4. Decline and Fall of the Vielle (17th Century)
Transition to New Instruments
By the 17th century, with the rise of Baroque music and more complex musical forms, the vielle began to lose its prominence. During this time, more modern instruments like the violin and viol da gamba replaced the vielle in many musical contexts. Various forms of the vielle, such as the “tenor” or “alto” vielle, began to be replaced by newer, more advanced instruments.
In the 17th century, the vielle was still widely used in folk traditions but gradually faded from professional music, as it was superseded by instruments with broader sound capabilities and better technical qualities.
5. The Vielle Today
Although the vielle is no longer commonly used today, it remains an important instrument for music historians, musicologists, and musicians specializing in historical performance. In modern times, the vielle is used in the reconstruction of medieval and Renaissance music and in historical performances. It is also featured in some early music ensembles, where the reconstruction of historical instruments plays a key role in studies and performances.
Several museums, such as the Musée de la Musique in Paris and The British Museum in London, house historical examples of the vielle, providing valuable evidence of its form, construction, and use throughout history.
Conclusion
The vielle is a fascinating instrument, with its history stretching back to the early medieval period, and it had a significant influence on the development of European bowed music. Though eventually replaced by modern instruments, its legacy lives on in the study of early music and its sound is still part of reconstructions of medieval and Renaissance music.