BACH'S SONATAS FOR VIOLA DA GAMBA
AND CEMBALO played by HOWARD BLISS (Violoncello) and GORDON BRYAN
(Pianoforte)
Sonata No. I in G : First two Movements
THE three Sonatas we are to hear this week were written for the Viola da Gamba, or Bass Viol (literally 'Leg Viol,' because it was played resting between the legs), an instrument like the 'Cello, which was much favoured for solo playing and for accompaniments to songs.
Imagine the familiar 'Cello, with a longer neck, sloping shoulders, and six strings, and you have an idea of the Viola da Gamba.
The First Sonata Bach wrote for it (in G) was really an arrangement of a Sonata for two Flutes and Harpsichord. Its four Movements contain some of Bach's most charming music-spacious, thoughtful, and cheerful. Tonight we have the first two Movements, the first an eloquent Slow Movement, and the second a busy piece of a happily determined cast.