Author: Chris P  
Date:   2009-05-25 19:47 
 For colloquial purposes, 'cor anglais' can always be abbreviated to a single syllable word - 'cor', whereas the abbreviations 'CA' or 'EH' (and 'CI') are both two syllables and usually expected in the written form as that takes up less room. 
 
I always call a cor anglais a 'cor' and an oboe d'amore/d'amour a 'd'amore/d'amour'. If I had a bass oboe, I'd probably call that a bass. Similarly with alto and bass flutes which I'll just call alto and bass. 
 
Saxes are referred to the sizes they are - soprano, alto, tenor, bari and bass (and also the sopranino or 'nino) - and recorders are garklein, sopranino, descant/soprano, treble/alto, tenor, bass, great bass and the other deeper sizes which have numerous names depending on what they are.  
 
Clarinets are usually named after the pitch they're in (Eb,D,C,Bb,A) until you get to alto, bass, contra-alto and contrabass. Basset horns and basset clarinets can be called 'bassets', but the basset clarinet is in A and the basset horn (like the other horns - cor anglais and horn) is in F. 
 
So for playing in Bach cantatas/oratorios/passions, you'll have an oboe, d'amore (or d'amour) and cor with you. 
 
Former oboe finisher  
Howarth of London 
1998 - 2010 
 
Independent Woodwind Repairer  
Single and Double Reed Specialist 
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes 
 
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R. 
 
The opinions I express are my own.
  
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