Oh my God … this music is so stunningly amazing! Tears are welling in my eyes listening to it! The sound to me is a cross between a viola da gamba and an organ, with the subtleties in expression and dynamics that a pipe organ inherently lacks – except for the swell stop. Of course, I know the Marais and the Boccherini performed below (click on the photo) – the latter I have performed many times. The Forqueray is a work I know intimately, as I have transcribed his gamba pieces for the viola. What glorious music, and this new/ancient instrument brings it across marvelously. I am really looking forward to hearing more about this!!!
Help support the Kickstarter Viola Organista campaign to record the first CD of the instrument:
You can learn more on the Viola.Organista page on Facebook. There is plenty of information here on its history, how it was built, how it works, and lots of other interesting things.
I highly recommend that you help fund this project if you are moved by the sound of this instrument. I already have. In two days, they have already raised more than a quarter of their $10,000 goal! Leonardo da Vinci’s instrument has waited for five centuries to be heard. I believe that it is imperative to share its exquisite beauty with the world.