1999. The viola da gamba was especially popular in the 17th century. Today we will approach gamba music from two different angles.
A big difference between Renaissance and Baroque is the role of instrumental music. While there was plenty of instrumental music in the Renaissance, it was not held in much esteem. Only music with vocals, and especially religious music, was taken seriously. This changed radically in the Baroque era. Suddenly the ‘toccata’ and the ‘sonata’ were taken seriously and lutenists, organists and violinists could become heroes. Today we hear two concertos from 1999. Both center on the viola da gamba.
The first concert features music from around 1600. We will hear the change from Renaissance to Baroque. Instrumental music is now rapidly maturing. The Spirit of Gambo, a quartet of four viole da gamba, plays arrangements of popular songs (one song even appears in six arrangements), liturgical works and absolute compositions such as ricercars. It’s often music that can also be played on harpsichord, organ or winds.
The second concerto is from around 1700, or shortly after. Though the viola da gamba started decreasing in popularity, in France it stayed popular a bit longer. As well as world-renowned gamba virtuoso Marin Marais, who won’t be featured during this programme, François Couperin and Jean-Marie Leclair also composed for the viola da gamba. The flexibility of the previous century has now disappeared, as music composed for the gamba cannot simply played on another instrument. We do, however, get infinitely more refinement, thanks to the experience composers gained from writing for instruments during the previous century.
Playlist
1. Hans Gerle – Ach Elslein liebes Elselein
2. Ludwig Senfl – Ach Elslein liebes Elselein
3. Dietrich Xystus – Ach Elslein liebes Elselein
4. anoniem – Ach Elslein liebes Elselein
5. Hans Gerle – Ach Elslein liebes Elselein
6. Hans Judenkünig – Ach Elslein liebes Elselein
7. Heinrich Isaac – La My
8. Luis de Narvaez – C ancion del Emperador
9. Luis de Narvaez – Mille regretz
10. Josquin Desprez – Mille regretz
11. Antonio de Cabezon – Pavana italiana
12. Diego Ortiz – Twee recercada’s
13. Pere Alberch Vila – Tiento
14. Antonio de Cabezon – La dame le demanda
15. Pietro Vinci – Recercar quinto
16. Pietro Vinci – Recercar decimo
17. Francesco Canova da Milano – Fantasia
18. Vicenzo Ruffo – La gamba in basso e soprano
19. Vicenzo Ruffo – La gamba in tenore
20. Orlando Gibbons – In nomine a 4
21. John Ward – In nomine a 4
22. Thomas Ford – Pavan and galliard
23. Thomas Ford – Forget me not
24. Thomas Ford – The baggepipes
25. Thomas Ford – Why not here
26. John Ward – In nomine a 4
27. John Coprario – In nomine a 4
28. Pancrace Royer – Allemande
29. Pancrace Royer – La marche des Scythes
30. François Couperin – Sonade L’Impériale
31. François Couperin – Passacaille ou Chaconne
32. Jean-Marie Leclair – Première récréation de musique d’une execution facile
Performed by
The Spirit of Gambo: Freek Borstlap, Christine Brelowski, Geesje Liedmeier, Ivanka Neeleman (1-16, 18-27)
Ensemble Tokyo Baroque: Ryo Terekado (violin), Simon Heyerick (violin), Kaori Uemera (viola da gamba), Siebe Henstra (harpsichord) (28-32)
