Literary notes about octave (AI summary)
The term "octave" has been employed in literature with remarkable versatility, serving both as a precise musical term and as a personal name or affectionate address. In technical passages, authors use “octave” to denote musical intervals, registers, or the doubling of specific instruments—for example, describing a trumpet sounding an octave higher than usual ([1]), specifying limits within vocal ranges ([2], [3]), or detailing instrumental techniques such as doubling in the upper or lower octave ([4], [5], [6], [7]). At the same time, in works of fiction—particularly in Proust’s writings—“Octave” emerges as a character or a term of endearment, giving the word a humanized quality in phrases like “Madame Octave” or when referring to someone affectionately in dialogue ([8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14]). In this way, “octave” bridges the gap between the technical intricacies of music and the nuanced portrayal of characters, underscoring both precision and personal charm in literary expression.
- The small trumpet, ( B♭-A ) sounding an octave higher than the ordinary trumpet has not yet appeared in musical literature.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Voices possess the greatest amount of flexibility in their normal octave.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - A bracket under the notes defines the normal octave, the register in which the voice is generally used.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - The piece ended with a trill of octaves in the treble and a final deep octave in the bass.
— from Dubliners by James Joyce - To double a trumpet in the upper octave three or four wind instruments are required, but in the top register two flutes will suffice.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - The bass should rarely lie at a greater distance than an octave from the part directly above it (tenor harmony).
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - It comprised two full octaves, the left hand playing the same notes as the right an octave lower.
— from Anabasis by Xenophon - Octave; I mean the little girl, he one who goes to school at Jouy.
— from Swann's Way by Marcel Proust - Octave, I will leave you to rest; you look utterly tired out.
— from Swann's Way by Marcel Proust - Octave, you will live to be a hundred, as Mme.
— from Swann's Way by Marcel Proust - And I've been dreaming that my poor Octave had come back to life, and was trying to make me take a walk every day!"
— from Swann's Way by Marcel Proust - " "No, no, Madame Octave, they like it well enough.
— from Swann's Way by Marcel Proust - Octave, I don't think I ought to; you know very well that I don't come here for that!"
— from Swann's Way by Marcel Proust - Indeed, it is time the Lord called me home too; I don't know what has become of my head since I lost my poor Octave.
— from Swann's Way by Marcel Proust