Description
The italian Viola Bastarda and the Division-viol can be named “sister viols”. The Viola Bastarda is a middle size viol falling between the tenor viol and the bass viol, which allows for a greater extension thanks to different tunings, that unlike the typical viol contain intervals of a fifth. Its repertoire originates from polyphonic compositions in tablature as conceived for ‘perfect instruments’ on which one can exceed the normal range allowing for more virtuosic movement and space for one’s own fantasies which recall all of the different themes of the original composition, Madrigale, Chançon or Motteto. The literature for the Division-viol also comes from prior music in which there were improvised parts and fantasies, but instead of making use of vocal compositions, it exploits a “virtual” polyphony based on a Ground, or in other words the bass line of an Aria.
