ABEL, Carl Friedrich (1723-1787)
Carl Friedrich Abels twenty-nine pieces for viola da gamba solo, which are preserved in the Drexel Collection, belong in the standard repertoire of every ambitious gambist. The individual pieces in this autograph are ordered by key, but are otherwise not related to one another. Alongside many well-structured fast and slow movements in binary form, there are also several short pieces that can be considered exercises and that afford a glance in the practice habits of the gamba virtuoso. Since Abel obviously wrote this manuscript for his own use, there are not a few ambiguous or faulty passages. In our edition for practical use, we have corrected and documented these in an extensive critical report. In the main section, we have retained the original treble clef, but include a supplement that is notated in alto and bass clefs as is usual today.
29 Pieces for Solo Viola da Gamba A1:5-33, VdG, in treble/bass clef, in alto/bass clef.
Editor: Günter and Leonore von Zadow.
