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What is a viol?

In the late Middle Ages, instrument makers and performers in Spain transformed the guitar-like vihuela de mano into an instrument played with a bow, the vihuela de arco. It was depicted in many paintings of the 15th century, and it may have been inspired by the rebab, a Moorish fiddle played in a vertical position. The vihuela de arco, with its underhanded bow technique, developed into the family of instruments known today the viol, viole (French) and viola da gamba (Italian).

The viol has six strings and is held with the legs (gamba means “leg”). Its shape has changed over the years—for example, the original curves of its guitar-like shape were later altered to corners by luthiers in Aragon—but its final shape was defined by Italians in the late 16th century.

From Spain the viol made its way to Italy. In fact, it was played at the grand Medici wedding of Cosimo I to Eleonora of Toledo in 1539. It also moved to England, France, Germany, and the Low Countries. For about 400 years the viol was the preferred bowed string instrument of the nobility and royalty until the late 18th century when it was supplanted by the violin.

The various sizes of the viol correspond to the ranges of the human voice. The English preferred the alto viol in some 17th century fantasias. In the 18th century the French favored two soprano instruments called the pardessus and the quinton. Today, the treble, tenor and bass sizes are most commonly used in consort performances. The lowest member of the viol family, the double-bass viol, is used in both symphony orchestras and jazz ensembles.

In the 19th century, the viol underwent a revival. Collectors restored rare viols, which found their way into the hands of cellists who rediscovered their repertoire. In the 20th century, a second revival inspired composers to write once again for the viol, giving new life to its elegant tone.

Outreach Programs (back to the top)
Last year we took on an exciting new educational project: We taught four choirboys at the Little Church Around the Corner to play the viol, reviving a musical practice popular in the 17th Century.

The article is available by clicking here

Articles & Readings
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Contact:

Judith Davidoff
New York Consort of Viols
201 West 86th Street, Suite 905
New York NY 10024
(212) 580-9787
info@nyconsortofviols.org