The Sound of the Viol
Exploring extraordinary music written for this family of instruments.
Whilst there is not one definitive history of the viol, it is likely that this bowed, fretted string instrument originated in Spain. Spreading across Europe during the Renaissance, viols came to England from Italy during Henry VIII’s reign. Here, they remained central to musical life for nearly 200 years. As such, we have inherited a wealth of extraordinary music for these instruments.
As we embark on the 400th anniversary year of the death of the English composer Orlando Gibbons (1583 - 1625), we find a plethora of upcoming concerts exploring the sound world and music for this fascinating instrument.
Chelys Consort of Viols and soprano Emily Atkinson present a concert focused on Gibbon’s life and career, from his youth in Cambridge, to his work at the Chapel Royal, and finally to Westminster Abbey, where he became organist in 1623. A virtuoso keyboard player, he left a rich set of works for viol consort. Join Stoke Newington Early Music Festival for What is our Life? on Friday 24 January.
You may also enjoy hearing works for viola da gamba and viola d’amore (not from the viol family). Join Rachel Stott and Ibrahim Aziz for a free concert including a rarely performed three-movement Serenata by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari at St Olave’s Church, London on 22 January.
Next, Newe Vialles perform their Newe Vialles, Old Viols programme in the On Your Doorstep Concert Series in London on Saturday 25 January. This is a rare opportunity to hear music from their recently-released album, exploring works the instruments’ makers would have known, played on two spectacular original historical English viols.
For a journey through the ages of viol music, Ibrahim Aziz presents a programme in which he shares works dating from the early days of the instrument to its present. Don’t miss Whatever happened to the viol? on Sunday 26 January - part of the Plumstead Peculiars Concert Series.
Looking ahead to February, Dialogue Viols will explore the limits of the instrument, celebrating the music of pre-revolutionary France. Explore the huge variety viols can offer, from music by Corelli and Hotteterre played on the tiny quinton, to music by Forqueray for three bass viols. Catch Before the Guillotine on 1 February in Blackheath.
Finally, Fretwork will perform Bach’s exquisite masterpiece, the Art of Fugue. Written in open score, for four individual parts, it has long been argued that it was intended as a keyboard work. However, there is no indication from the composer as to what instrument(s) it was written for, or even if it should be performed at all. Join Fretwork on an emotional and intellectual journey like no other in a free concert on 11 February in London, as part of the Imperial College Rush Hour Concert Series.
Gibbons 400 at a Glance:
We have gathered a list of upcoming Gibbons concerts, all in one place!
24 January, Stoke Newington: What is our Life?. Chelys Consort
22 February, Battersea: My Days. Fretwork with Iestyn Davies
25 February, Oxford: Orlando Gibbons & William Byrd. Fretwork
7 March, Oxford*: The Best Hand in England. Chelys Consort
8 March, Oxford*: A Heavenly Harmony. Chelys Consort
9 March, Oxford*: Dainty Fine Bird. Chelys Consort
18 March, Chichester: The Silver Swan. Rose Consort of Viols
* Gibbons weekend supported by a grant from Continuo Foundation.
You can continue your exploration of the viol family through reading and listening resources available on the Continuo Connect website. Delve deeper into the history of the viol in this article about Newe Vialles’ recording project.
Browse previous newsletters on the Continuo Connect Substack page.