The Viola da Gamba

Originally appearing in 15th-century Spain, the viol—or viola da gamba—was hugely popular in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Varied in size, from treble to bass, it has up to seven strings, a flat back, and fretted fingerboard. Although employed as a chamber instrument, with Purcell’s Fantazias showcasing the exquisite nature of its collective blend, many composers including Marin Marais and Telemann wrote wonderful solo works for the viol. Here, you can savour the viol in all its guises—solo and chamber—and hear music from the Renaissance up to the present day, as contemporary composers have been rediscovering the fragile beauty of its sound.