A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Traverso

by George Grove

TRAVERSO (Ger. Querflöte), the present form of flute, held square or across (à travers) the performer, in distinction to the flute à bec, or flageolet with a beak or mouthpiece, which was held straight out, as the clarinet and oboe are. It came in early in the 18th century, and was called the 'German flute' by Handel and others in this country. In Bach's scores it is called Flauto traverse, Traverso, and Traversiere. [See Flute.]

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