ALPHA1070
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The Messenger: A Portrait of the Viola da Gamba
€17,99 – €30,99
Musical instruments from the Baroque era were often quite different than modern counterparts. I don’t know why the trombone’s ancestor is called a sackbut, but I don’t know why the modern instrument is called a trombone. They’re both funny names.
But, the viola da gamba is not a funny name! The family has 7 different sizes, but for purposes of this “discovery,” I’ll stick to the what seems to be the most common– the bass viola da gamba. It’s pretty close to the size of a modern cello. It’s commonly called a gamba, a bass viol, or just viol. The French version used by Lucile Boulanger has 7 gut strings, 3 more strings than a cello. The sound is light, airy, and intimate. It can’t play as loudly as a cello.
By the late 1700s, growing concert halls and a taste for louder, more projecting instruments led musicians to favor cello and violin. But the early-music revival has brought the viola da gamba, with its unique voice and depth of expression, back to life.
Personally, I like the gamba’s almost growling sound on its deepest notes. I would love to hear the Bach cello suites done with this instrument!
Lucile Boulanger brings us an interesting combination of Baroque and contemporary pieces. They flow beautifully, and highlight how well suited the instrument is for music from any era. This album really worked for me. Listen to a few of the samples and see what you think! The audio quality is excellent.
You might also be interested in this recent best-seller by Rachel Podger and her Brecon Baroque. It’s a gem!
CCS48525
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Just Biber
€20,99 – €34,49
