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viola da gamba | violone and contrabass | cello | performance practice

Viola da Gamba Articles

The list below is by no means a complete bibliography of materials concerning the history and development of the viola da gamba family. Indeed, so much material is available that a full list would exceed the scope of this project, and furthermore, a number of extensive viol bibliographies exist elsewhere. My own research bias has been towards the use of the larger members of the viol family and their repertoires (such as the lyra viol, viola bastarda and divisions viol, for example). But the list could easily be augmented by referencing the journals of the Viola da Gamba Societies of America and Great Britain, and by including biographical studies of the many composers who wrote these instruments.

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  • About the Viol. Viola da Gamba Society of America
  • Adams, Peter H. Origins of the Lyra Viol. SFEMS 1997
  • Ashbee, Andrew, Robert Thompson and Jonathan Wainwright. The Viola da Gamba Society Index of Maniscripts Containing Consort Music, Vol. 1. Ashgate, 2001
  • Bates, James. Monteverdi, the Viola Bastarda Player.
    The Italian Viola da Gamba: Proceedings of the Int. Symposium, 2000
  • Bishop, Martha. History of the Viola da Gamba Through the Renaissance. A Practical Guide to Historical Performance, EMA, 1989
  • Breton, Luc. The System and Proportions of Barring on Viols.
    The Italian Viola da Gamba: Proceedings of the Int. Symposium, 2000
  • Brown, Howard Mayer. Notes and Transposing Notes on the Viol. Music in Medieval and Early Modern Europe. Cambridge University Press, 1981
  • Brown, Howard Mayer. Notes on the Viol in the 20th Century. EM 6, 1978
  • Bula, Karol. Saiteninstrumente des 18. Jahrhunderts In der polnischen Musikpraxis. Michaelstein/Blankenburg H7, 1978
  • Catch, John R. Praetorius and English Viol Pitch. Chelys 15, 1986
  • Cheney, Stuart. Hotman and Dubuisson.
    A Viola da Gamba Miscellanea: Presses Univ. de Limoges, 2005
  • Chiesa, Carlo. The Viola da Gamba in Cremona.
    The Italian Viola da Gamba: Proceedings of the Int. Symposium, 2000
  • Connelly, Patrice. Historical Treatises on Viola da Gamba
  • Cowling, Elizabeth. Manuscript Collection of Viola
    da Gamba Music. VdGSA I, 1964
  • Crawford, Tim. Allemande Mr. Zuilekom: Constantijn Huygen's Sole Surviving Instrumental Composition. Tijdschrift van de Verenigung voor Nederlandse Musik, #37, 1987
  • Crum, Alison and Sonia Jackson. Play the Viol: The Complete Guide to Playing the Treble, Tenor and Bass Viol. Oxford University Press, 1989
  • Cunningham, Sarah. Lessons form Marais' Book II.
    Viola da Gamba Miscellany, STIMU, 1994
  • Cyr, Mary. Representing Jacquet de la Guerre on Disc: Scoring and the
    Basse Continue Practices, and a New Painting of the Composer. EM 32, 2004.
  • Dart, Thurston. Ornament Signs in Jacobean Music
    for the Lute and Viol. GSJ XIV, 1961
  • David, Imke. Die sechszehn Saiten der italienischen Lira da Gamba. Osnabruck 1999
  • Dodd, Gordon. Summary of Music for Viols. EM 6, 1978
  • Dolmetsch, Nathalie. The Viola da Gamba. Peters, 1980
  • Donington, Robert. James Talbot's Manuscript: Bowed Strings. GSJ 3, 1950
  • Dunford, Jonathan. The Sainte Colombe Enigma.
    A Viola da Gamba Miscellanea: Presses Univ. de Limoges, 2005
  • Dunford, Jonathan. Ditrich Stoeffken: A Brief Introduction.
    A Viola da Gamba Miscellanea: Presses Univ. de Limoges, 2005
  • Edmunds, Martin. Venetian Viols of the 16th Century. GSJ 33, 1980
  • Edmunds, Martin. Venetian Viols of the 16th Century Reconsidered.
    Viola da Gamba Miscellany, STIMU, 1994
  • Erig, Richard. Italian Diminutions. Amadeus Verlag, 1979
  • Flassig, Fred. Die Solistische Gambenmusik in Deutschland
    im 18. Jahrhundert. Cuvillier Verlag, 1998
  • Fleming, Michael. Viol-Making in England c.1580-1660. CDRom, 2002
  • Ghielmi, Vittorio. An 18th c Treatise and Other Clues...
    The Italian Viola da Gamba: Proceedings of the Int. Symposium, 2000
  • Gilmore, Margaret C. Note on Bass Viol Sources
    of the Division Violin. EM 11, 1983
  • Gruss, Hans. Praktische und thematische Demonstrationen zu einigen Problemen des Gambenspiels Im Consort und als Solo. Michaelstein/Blankenburg H7, 1978
  • Gutmann, Veronika. Viola Bastarda - Instrument oder Diminutionspraxis? Archiv fur Musikwissenschaft, XXXV, 1978
  • Gutmann, Veronika. Die Improvisation auf der Viola da Gamba in England im 17. Jahrhundert und ihre wurzen im 16. Jahrhundert. Hans Schneider, 1979
  • Hadaway, Robert. Another Look at the Viol. EM 6, 1978
  • Harris, Colette. The Viol Lyra-Way. Chelys 4, 1972
  • Harwood, Ian and Edmunds, Martin. Reconstructing 16th Century
    Venetian Viols. EM 6, 1978
  • Harwood, Ian. An Introduction to Renaissance Viols. EM 2, 1974
  • Herzog, Myrna. Violin Traits in Italian Viol Building, Rule or Exception?
    The Italian Viola da Gamba: Proceedings of the Int. Symposium, 2000
  • Hsu, John. Use of the Bow in French Solo Viol Playing of the
    17th and 18th Centuries. EM 6, 1978
  • Hsu, John. Handbook of French Baroque Viol Technique. Broude Bros., 1981
  • Index of Music for Viols. Viola da Gamba Society of Great Britain
  • Jaquier, Pierre. Rediscovery of Portrait of Forqueray.
    Viola da Gamba Miscellany, STIMU, 1994
  • Jaquier, Pierre. Les sept planetes: un consort de violes anglais.
    A Viola da Gamba Miscellanea: Presses Univ. de Limoges, 2005
  • Jaquier, Piere. Une dispute aux Tuileries. A Viola da Gamba
    Miscellanea: Presses Univ. de Limoges, 2005
  • Kessler, Dietrich. Viol Construction in 17th Century England:
    An Alternative Way to Making Fronts. EM 10, 1982
  • Kessler, Dietrich. Francis Baines Talks to D.K. EM 6, 1978
  • Kessler, Dietrich. The Restoration of Two English Viols by Henry Jaye and
    Richard Meares. A Viola da Gamba Miscellanea: Presses Univ. de Limoges, 2005
  • King, Richard. Handel and the Viol. A Viola da Gamba Miscellanea:
    Presses Univ. de Limoges, 2005
  • Kirnbauer, Martin. The Viola da Gamba in Chromatic Music in 17th c Rome.
    The Italian Viola da Gamba: Proceedings of the Int. Symposium, 2000
  • Kuijken, Wieland and Christopher Hogwood: On the Viol. EM 6, 1978
  • Larson, Daniel. Tying Viol Frets.
  • Linfield, Eva. The Viol Consort in Buxtehude's Vocal Music: Historical Context and Affective Meaning. Church, Stage and Studio: Music and Its Contexts in 17th Century Germany. UMI Research Press, 1990
  • MacCRacken, Thomas. Italian Instruments in a List of Extant Viols Made Before 1900.
    The Italian Viola da Gamba: Proceedings of the Int. Symposium, 2000
  • Meucci, Renato. Early Evidence of the Viola da Gamba in Italy.
    The Italian Viola da Gamba: Proceedings of the Int. Symposium, 2000
  • Moens, Karel. Problems of Authenticity in 16th c Italian Viols in the Brussels Collection.
    The Italian Viola da Gamba: Proceedings of the Int. Symposium, 2000
  • Monson, Craig. Voices and Viols in England, 1600-1650:
    The Sources and the Music. UMI Research Press, 1982
  • Morehen, John. English Consort and Verse Anthems. EM 6, 1978
  • Morrow, Michael. 16th Century Ensemble Viol Music. EM 2, 1974
  • Muthesius, Ingo. Restaurieren: Arbeit in einer Werkstatt.
    A Viola da Gamba Miscellanea: Presses Univ. de Limoges, 2005
  • Neumann, Karl. Captain Hume's Invention for Two
    to Play Upon One Viol. JAMS XXII #1, 969
  • Otterstedt, Annette. Die Gambe. Barenreiter, 1994
  • Otterstedt, Annette. The Viol: History of an Instrument. Barenreiter, 2002
  • Otterstedt, Annette. Die Englische Lyra-Viol. Barenreiter, 1989
  • Otterstedt, Annette. Lawes' Division Viol: Pedigree of an Instrument.
    William Lawes: Essays on His Life, Times and Work. Ashgate, 1998
  • Otterstedt, Annette. The Descant Viol in Germany. A Viola da Gamba
    Miscellanea: Presses Univ. de Limoges, 2005
  • Pandolfo, Paolo. The Viola Bastarda and the Art of Improvising.
    The Italian Viola da Gamba: Proceedings of the Int. Symposium, 2000
  • Paras, Jason. Music for Viola Bastarda. Indiana University Press, 1986
  • Pinto, David. Italian Influence on 17th Century English Music.
    A Viola da Gamba Miscellanea: Presses Univ. de Limoges, 2005
  • Pond, Celia. Ornamental Style and the Virtuoso - Solo Bass Viol
    Music in France c.1680-1740. EM 6, 1978
  • Pinto, David. For Ye Violls: The Consort and Dance Music of William Lawes. Fretwork, 1995
  • Pringle, John. John Rose: Founder of English Viol-Making. EM 6, 1978
  • Rasch, Rudolph. The Konincklycke Fantasien Printed in Amsterdam.
    Viola da Gamba Miscellany, STIMU, 1994
  • Reese, Gustave. Repertoire of Book II of Ortiz's Tratado.
    The Commonwealth of Music, Free Press, 1965
  • Reiners, Hans. Baroque Bows. Chelys 28, 2000
  • Riche, Charles. Restoration of a Bass Viol by Nicolas Bertrand.
    A Viola da Gamba Miscellanea: Presses Univ. de Limoges, 2005
  • Rutledge, John B. Megaviol: Bibliography of the Viols. 1996
  • Rutledge, John. Towards a History of the Viol
    in the 19th Century. EM 12, 1984
  • Sadie, Julie Anne. The Bass Viol in French Baroque
    Chamber Music. UMI Research Press, 1980
  • Saunders, Steven. Giovanni Valentini's "In te Domine speravi" and the Demise of the Viola Bastarda. JVdGS 28, 1991
  • Segerman, Ephraim. Sizes of English Viols and
    Talbot's Measurements. GSJ XLVIII, 1995
  • Segerman, Ephraim. On Praetorius and English Viol Pitches. Chelys 17, 1988
  • Seumel, Volker. Uber Resonanzdecken an historischen Streichinstrumenten. Michaelstein/Blankenburg H7, 1978
  • De Smet, Robin. Catalogue of Music Published for Viola da Gambas.
    Detroit Studies in Musicology, 1971
  • Smith, Douglas Alton. Ebenthal Lute and Viol Tablatures. EM 10, 1982
  • Soubeyran, Marc. Restoration Matters - An Interview with John Topham.
    A Viola da Gamba Miscellanea: Presses Univ. de Limoges, 2005
  • Spencer, Kathleen Moretto and Howard Mayer Brown. How Alfonso della Viola Tuned His Viols, and How He Transposed. EM 14, 1986
  • Stolzfus, Ila Hartzler. The Lyra Viol in Consort:
    An Example From Uppsala. JVdGSA 17, 1980
  • Stolzfus, Ila Hartzler. The Lyra Viol In Consort with Other Instruments.
    UMI Research Press 1983
  • Stronks, Taco and Johannes Boer. A Viola da Gamba Bibliography. STIMU, 1995
  • Strumper, Marc. Die Viola da Gamba am Wiener Kaiserhof.
    Hans Schneider, 2004.
  • Teplow, Deborah. Performance Practice and Technique
    in Marais' Pieces de Viole. UMI Research Press, 1986
  • Thompson, Shirley. Marc-Antoine Charpentier and the Viol. EM 32, 2004
  • Tiella, Marco. The Ciciliano Viol in the Accademia Filarmonica of Bologna.
    The Italian Viola da Gamba: Proceedings of the Int. Symposium, 2000
  • Traficante, Frank. Music for Lyra Viol: Printed Sources. VdGSA 5, 1968
  • Traficante, Frank. Music for Lyra Viol: Manuscript Sources. Chelys 8, 1978/79
  • Traficante, Frank. Manchester Lyra Viol Tablature:
    Further Info. VdGSA III, 1966
  • Traficante, Frank. Lyra Viol Tunings: All Ways have been Tryed to do It.
    Acta Musicologia XLII, 1970
  • Traficante, Frank. Lyra-Viol Music? A Semantic Puzzle.
    John Jenkins and His Time. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1996.
  • Traficante, Frank. William Lawes' Lyra Viol Music: Some Observations. William Lawes: Essays on His Life, Times and Work. Ashgate, 1998
  • Traficante, Frank. Lyra. New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 1980
  • Walls, Peter. Lyra Viol Song. Chelys 5,1973/74
  • Webber, Oliver. Real Gut Strings: Some New Experiments in Historical Stringing.
    The Italian Viola da Gamba: Proceedings of the Int. Symposium, 2000
  • Wenziger, August. Revival of Gamba: A History.
    Viola da Gamba Miscellany, STIMU, 1994
  • Williams, Peter. Bach's G Minor Sonata for Gamba:
    A 7th Brandenburg? EM 12, 1984
  • Woodfield, Ian. The Basel Gross Geigen: An Early German Viol?
    Viola da Gamba Miscellany, STIMU, 1994
  • Woodfield, Ian. Viol Playing Techniques
    in the Mid-16th Century: Ganassi. EM 6, 1978
  • Woodfield, Ian. Posture in Viol Playing. EM 6, 1978
  • Woodfield, Ian. The Early History of the Viol.
    Proceedings of the Royal Musical Association #103, 1976/77.
  • Woodfield, Ian. The Early History of the Viol.
    Cambridge University Press, 1984
  • Zopf, Simone. A Study of Three Viols Attributed to Antonio Ciciliano.
    The Italian Viola da Gamba: Proceedings of the Int. Symposium, 2000
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    If any readers would like to suggest materials for inclusion here, please bring them to my attention by sending me an email.