Album

The title of this ECM New Series album—"D'Amore"—comes from the principal instrument of interest, the viola d'amore. Despite its long existence, the viola d'amore is still largely an oddity, appearing rarely in any literature at all. Its appearance can be even more perplexing, seeming to have more strings than could ever possibly be bowed by a single individual. In fact, only seven of the strings (still a lot to deal with) are bowed; the remaining strings are tuned to vibrate sympathetically with the bowed strings, giving the viola d'amore an entirely unique, rich, sonorous tone. Garth Knox, most likely the greatest champion the instrument has even known, has assembled this program of works that puts the viola d'amore in a somewhat unusual position: at the forefront. Combining Baroque works (dating from as far back as 1685) with modern works (one composed by Knox himself) and traditional Jigs (arranged by Knox), this album successfully explores the true range of an instrument that's so often neglected. Knox is completely at home in any genre, handling remarkable extended techniques and microtonal tuning systems with ease. The result for listeners is a pleasing, engaging progression of works that switches back and forth between the familiar and comfortable with the new and challenging.

© Mike D. Brownell, All Music Guide

CD 1
Garth Knox Composer Malor me bat, for viola d'amore & cello Work Garth Knox Viola d'amore, Anges Vesterman Cello
1	Malor me bat, for viola d'amore & cello	9:16			$1.49
Marin Marais Composer Les folies d'Espagne (La Folia) Work Garth Knox Viola d'amore, Anges Vesterman Cello
2	Les folies d'Espagne (La Folia)	10:35			$1.99
Roland Moser Composer Manners of Speaking, for viola d'amore Work 6:34 Garth Knox Viola d'amore
3	Poem	3:49			$0.99
4	Anecdote	2:45			$0.99
Tobias Hume Composer A humorous Pavin (Musical Humors, 43) Work Garth Knox Viola d'amore
5	A humorous Pavin (Musical Humors, 43)	6:45			$0.99
Attilio Ariosti Composer Lezione No.1 for archlute & gamba, in Eb Work 10:38 Garth Knox Viola d'amore, Anges Vesterman Cello
6	Allegro	4:16			$0.99
7	Largo	4:12			$0.99
8	Andante	2:10			$0.99
Irish Traditional Composer Celtic wedding march Work Garth Knox Viola d'amore, Anges Vesterman Cello
9	Celtic wedding march	1:36			$0.49
Irish Traditional Composer Work(s) Work Garth Knox Viola d'amore, Anges Vesterman Cello
10	I Once Loved a Lass / Jig	2:35			$0.99
Klaus Huber Composer ...Plainte..., for viola d'amore Work Garth Knox Viola d'amore
11	...Plainte..., for viola d'amore	5:15			$0.99