All together

What it means

Vereinigt (“united”) cancels a preceding division of a string section: all players of the group again play the same part. The marking is the German counterpart to the Italian unisono or tutti and answers directly to a previously notated divisi. Without it, the division continues to apply, and a section unintentionally goes on playing in two parts.

In the notation

The word stands above the staff at the note from which unified playing resumes, often together with the disappearance of the divided notation. In scores with several languages, one finds unis. or tutti at the same point. With longer divisions, editors like to additionally place the cancellation at the beginning of a new page, so that it is not overlooked.

Musical use

The change from divided to united playing is a means of intensification. Divided strings sound softer and thinner, because the force is distributed over several lines; when the group returns to playing together, the line immediately gains in substance and assertiveness. Composers therefore place this change at formal turning points — for instance where a theme re-emerges after a plane-like passage. The term “vereinigt” designates exclusively the cancellation of the division and not, say, playing together with other sections.

Performance practice

Mark the spot clearly in your part, especially if the division extended over many bars; overlooking this marking is among the most common errors in orchestral duty. At the first shared note, listen consciously to the group and adjust intonation and volume, instead of immediately playing at full strength. If the passage comes after a stretch in which you had the lower part, get used to the upper part again in good time — otherwise the change of register becomes a stumbling block. With repeats and jumps in the notated text, check separately which instruction currently applies.

Bear in mind that the cancellation of a division is easily overlooked at confusing points: after repeats, jumps, or page turns, an instruction often still applies that no one thinks of any more. Mark it clearly and check it in rehearsal.