D'Amore (2008)

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, rarely appearing 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 sympathetically vibrate with the bowed strings, ... Read More

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, rarely appearing 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 sympathetically vibrate 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... Read Less