Composer

:

Tobias Hume

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1605

Average_duration

:

2:27

'A Question' is a composition for solo viola da gamba by Tobias Hume, a prominent English composer and viol player of the early 17th century. The piece was likely composed in the early 1600s and was first published in Hume's collection of music, The First Part of Ayres, in 1605. The composition consists of a single movement, marked "A Question," and is written in the key of D minor. It is a relatively short piece, lasting only about two minutes in performance. The piece is characterized by its melancholic and introspective mood, with a slow and mournful melody that is punctuated by occasional dissonances and unexpected harmonic shifts. The piece is notable for its use of unconventional techniques and extended techniques for the viola da gamba. Hume employs a variety of bowing techniques, including rapid bowing and bowing close to the bridge, to create a range of timbres and textures. He also uses a technique known as "snap pizzicato," in which the player plucks the string with the thumb and then releases it quickly to create a sharp, snapping sound. Overall, 'A Question' is a haunting and introspective piece that showcases Hume's skill as a composer and his innovative approach to writing for the viola da gamba. Its melancholic mood and unconventional techniques make it a unique and compelling work in the early English music repertoire.

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