Preludes: English Music for Unaccompanied Viol

Embark on a musical journey with the viola da gamba, a seven-stringed, bowed, fretted instrument that once graced the courts of royalty. A musical "prelude" is a brief, quasi-improvisatory work that sets up and introduces a larger piece - the prelude can be viewed as a metaphor for life, in which each action, improvised in the moment, leads consequentially to the next, intertwined event. Join renowned virtuoso Brady Lanier, professor of viola da gamba at William & Mary, as he brings unaccompanied English music of the 17th and 18th centuries to life.

Carl Friedrich Abel (1723-1787):

Prelude in D minor, WKO 205

Tobias Hume (c1579-1645):

The Spirit of Gambo

A Souldiers March

Deth

Life 

Christopher Simpson (1605-1669):

Prelude in B flat

William Young (d. 1662):

Prelude, no. 112

Allemand, no. 116

Courante, no. 114 

Christopher Simpson:

Prelude in D major

Divisions in D Major  

Prelude in E minor

Benjamin Hely (fl. 1680-90):

Almand in A minor 

Courant in A minor

Saraband in A major 

Jigg in A major

Carl Friedrich Abel:

Adagio, WKO 189 

Vivace, WKO 190

Andante, WKO 191 

Minuet, WKO 201

SOURCES:

Hume: First Part of Ayres, pub. 1605

Young:  Cracow Manuscript, PL-Wtm R221, c.1655

Simpson:  The Division-Violist, pub. 1659

Hely:  The Compleat Violist, pub. 1700

Abel:  Drexel Manuscript, NYPL, Drexel 5871, c.1770