The viola da gamba is, today, somewhat of a musical anachronism. Ironically, the instrument was not extensively popular during Bach's lifetime, making the fact that he composed solo sonatas for the gamba a historical curiosity. Despite its relative obscurity, Mieneke van der Velden has created a remarkably successful and prolific career out of performing works for the gamba. The Ramee album features the three original Bach gamba sonatas -- by far the most familiar works for the instrument, no doubt because of their ...
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The viola da gamba is, today, somewhat of a musical anachronism. Ironically, the instrument was not extensively popular during Bach's lifetime, making the fact that he composed solo sonatas for the gamba a historical curiosity. Despite its relative obscurity, Mieneke van der Velden has created a remarkably successful and prolific career out of performing works for the gamba. The Ramee album features the three original Bach gamba sonatas -- by far the most familiar works for the instrument, no doubt because of their usurpation by cellists -- as well as other works Bach transcribed to include the gamba. The performances themselves are somewhat of a mixed bag, a surprise considering the strength of van der Velden's previous albums. The original gamba sonatas in G minor and D major are by far the most successful of the album, although the curious decision to use organ instead of harpsichord in the D major sonata creates some balance problems and does not yield as pleasing of a sound as the...
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Add this copy of Da Gamba to cart. $16.79, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Ramee.