Alto

The musical term alto, meaning "high" in Italian (Latin: altus), refers to the second highest part of a contrapuntal musical texture and is also applied to its associated vocal range, especially in choral music. More rarely it describes the highest male solo voice type (usually designated countertenor), and it is also the root word of contralto, the lowest standard female voice type. When designating instruments, "alto" likewise can refer either to the corresponding vocal range (alto flute and alto trombone) or to musical role (alto recorder and alto clarinet).

Etymology

In choral music for mixed voices, "alto" describes the lowest part commonly sung by women. The explanation for the anomaly of this name is to be found not in the use of adult falsettists in choirs of men and boys but further back in innovations in composition during the mid-15th century. Before this time it was usual to write a melodic cantus or superius against a tenor (from Latin tenere, to hold) or 'held' part, to which might be added a contratenor, which was in counterpoint with (in other words, against = contra) the tenor. The composers of Ockeghem's generation wrote two contratenor parts and designated them as contratenor altus and contratenor bassus; they were respectively higher and lower than the tenor part. From these derive both the modern terms "alto" (and contralto) and "bass".

Alto (disambiguation)

Alto is a musical term that has several possible interpretations.

Alto may also refer to:

Places

People

Music

Other uses

Alto, Piedmont

Alto is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 110 kilometres (68 mi) south of Turin and about 45 kilometres (28 mi) southeast of Cuneo. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 113 and an area of 7.6 square kilometres (2.9 sq mi).

Alto borders the following municipalities: Aquila di Arroscia, Caprauna, Nasino, and Ormea.

Demographic evolution

References

Impacto

"Impacto" (English: Impact) is the first single by Puerto Rican reggaeton performer Daddy Yankee from his fifth studio album El Cartel: The Big Boss. It was released on April 12, 2007 by El Cartel Records. "Impacto" was nominated for Song of the Year at the Premios Lo Nuestro 2008. The official remix features American singer Fergie.

Song information

The song was produced by Scott Storch and reggaeton producer Tainy. There is also a remix featuring Fergie, which is also featured in the same album and features more spanglish lyrics than the original version. Additionally, the song is featured in the EA Sports game Madden 08,Rockstar game Grand Theft Auto IV and Harmonix Music Systems game Dance Central 2. Daddy Yankee made another remix of "Impacto" featuring the reggaeton group Casa de Leones.

Music video

According to an interview by Primer Impacto news, who were on the set of the remix version video, Daddy Yankee says there will be two videos, one for the remix featuring pop/R&B singer Fergie and a second for the original. The original video features many cities including London, Tokyo, New York, San Juan and Tegucigalpa City. The remix video includes bits and pieces from the original video, adding Fergie and her parts.

Impacto (album)

Impacto is a 1964 album recorded by saxophonist and composer Hector Costita and his sextet. The album is one of the most important in the musician career and presents a fusion of bossa nova and jazz. Hector Costita elaborated all arrangements and conducted the other musicians.

A long period after its recording, it was reissued on CD in 2006 as one of the albums included in Som Livre Masters series, organized by Charles Gavin.

Track listing

Personnel

Special guests: