Composer

:

Tobias Hume

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1605

Average_duration

:

2:46

The Spirit of Gambo is a collection of pieces for viola da gamba composed by Tobias Hume, an English composer and viol player who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The collection was likely composed in the early 17th century, although the exact date is unknown. The Spirit of Gambo was likely first performed in private settings, as was common for chamber music of the time. The collection was not published during Hume's lifetime, and it was not until the 20th century that it was rediscovered and published. The collection consists of 117 pieces, divided into three sections: "First Part of Ayres," "Captain Humes Poeticall Musicke," and "Musicall Humors." The pieces are generally short, with many lasting only a minute or two. They are written for solo viola da gamba, and are characterized by their virtuosic and expressive writing for the instrument. The first section, "First Part of Ayres," consists of 44 pieces, many of which are dance forms such as pavans, galliards, and almaines. These pieces are generally more straightforward in their structure and harmonies than the pieces in the later sections. The second section, "Captain Humes Poeticall Musicke," consists of 21 pieces, each with a title and a brief poem or epigram. These pieces are more complex in their structure and harmonies, and often feature unusual rhythms and dissonances. The third section, "Musicall Humors," consists of 52 pieces, each with a descriptive title such as "A Souldiers Resolution," "A Pavin for a Silent Life," or "A Question." These pieces are often more introspective and contemplative than the pieces in the earlier sections, and feature more chromaticism and harmonic ambiguity. Overall, The Spirit of Gambo is a significant collection of music for the viola da gamba, and showcases Hume's skill as a composer and performer. Its rediscovery in the 20th century has led to a renewed interest in Hume's music and the viola da gamba repertoire more broadly.

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