A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Col Legno

by Paul David

COL LEGNO, 'with the wood,' a term indicating that a passage is to be played by striking the strings of the violin with the stick of the bow instead of with the hair—the effect produced being something like that of guitar and castanets combined. Amongst others Spohr has employed it in the Finale all' Espagnola of his sixth violin-concerto, and Auber in Carlo Broschi's air in ' La part du diable.'

[ P. D. ]