The Viola d'Amore: Its History and Development

The viola d'amore is a beautiful and unique stringed instrument that has a long and fascinating history. It is a bowed instrument with a distinctive sound that is characterized by its rich, mellow tone and its sympathetic strings. The viola d'amore was first developed in the 16th century, and it quickly became a popular instrument in both courtly and folk music. It continued to be popular throughout the Baroque and Classical periods, but its popularity declined in the 19th century. However, in the 20th century, there was a revival of interest in the viola d'amore, and it is now once again a popular instrument for both classical and folk music.

The Viola d’Amore: Its History and Development

by Marion Kummerow

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
Hardcover	:	264 pages
Item Weight	:	14.4 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.5 x 0.79 x 8.5 inches
File size	:	12818 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	279 pages

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Construction

The viola d'amore is a large instrument, typically about 60-70 cm long. It has a shallow body that is usually made of maple or pearwood. The body is usually decorated with elaborate carvings or inlays. The neck is long and thin, and it is usually made of ebony. The fingerboard is made of ebony or ivory, and it is typically fretted. The viola d'amore has seven playing strings, which are typically made of gut or nylon. In addition to the playing strings, the viola d'amore also has seven sympathetic strings, which are tuned to specific pitches. The sympathetic strings vibrate when the playing strings are played, which creates a rich, resonant sound.

Sound

The viola d'amore has a distinctive sound that is characterized by its rich, mellow tone and its sympathetic strings. The sympathetic strings add a warm, resonant sound to the instrument's tone. The viola d'amore is capable of producing a wide range of sounds, from soft and lyrical to loud and passionate. It is a versatile instrument that can be used for a variety of musical styles, from classical to folk to jazz.

Playing Techniques

The viola d'amore is played with a bow. The bow is usually held in the underhand grip, and it is used to produce a smooth, legato sound. The viola d'amore can also be played with a variety of other techniques, such as pizzicato, harmonics, and sul ponticello. Pizzicato is a technique in which the strings are plucked with the fingers, and it produces a bright, percussive sound. Harmonics are created by lightly touching the strings with the fingers, and they produce a high-pitched, ethereal sound. Sul ponticello is a technique in which the bow is played near the bridge, and it produces a bright, edgy sound.

History

The viola d'amore was first developed in the 16th century in Italy. The earliest known violas d'amore were small instruments with four or five playing strings and no sympathetic strings. These early instruments were used in courtly music and folk music. In the 17th century, the viola d'amore began to be used in orchestral music. It was during this time that the instrument began to develop its characteristic seven playing strings and seven sympathetic strings. The viola d'amore continued to be a popular instrument in the Baroque and Classical periods, but its popularity declined in the 19th century. However, in the 20th century, there was a revival of interest in the viola d'amore, and it is now once again a popular instrument for both classical and folk music.

The viola d'amore is a beautiful and unique stringed instrument with a long and fascinating history. It has a distinctive sound that is characterized by its rich, mellow tone and its sympathetic strings. The viola d'amore is a versatile instrument that can be used for a variety of musical styles, from classical to folk to jazz. It is a beautiful instrument that is capable of producing a wide range of sounds, and it is a valuable addition to any orchestra or ensemble.

The Viola d’Amore: Its History and Development

by Marion Kummerow

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
Hardcover	:	264 pages
Item Weight	:	14.4 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.5 x 0.79 x 8.5 inches
File size	:	12818 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	279 pages

FREE