Carl Friedrich Abel: The Drexel Manuscript (29 Pieces For Viola Da Gamba) – Gaetano Simone

Carl Friedrich Abel was the son of Christian Ferdinand, a renowned gamba player and friend of Johann Sebastian Bach. Carl Friedrich followed in his father’s footsteps and became an internationally famous virtuoso on the gamba, on the cello and on other instruments. Having moved to London, he established the Bach-Abel concert series with Johann Christian, the youngest son of Johann Sebastian. Many of his works are conceived for the gamba as an unaccompanied, solo or chamber music instrument. The collection recorded in this Da Vinci Classics album comprises some 27 pieces from the “Drexel Manuscript”, probably conceived by Abel as a record of his improvisations and as an aide-memoire for his concerts. The rococo style of this music makes it particularly enjoyable and perfectly corresponding to the aesthetics of the era, captured by Gainsborough in his paintings – some of which portray Abel himself.