Lessons For Solo Lyra Violin

Alfonso Ferrabosco Jr was the son of an Italian musician who had worked at the court of Elizabeth I, where he composed mostly madrigals but also sacred pieces and instrumental works. He received an English upbringing and a full musical training, and he too held an official position at Court. Like his father, he composed madrigals and sacred music and among his collaborators was notable playright Ben Johnson. He gained a solid reputation as a violist and as a composer of instrumental works for viol and consort of viols. Alfonso Ferrabosco Jr. Was the first to compose music which was entirely dedicated to the lyra viol. The lyra viol was a typical English instrument of the viola da gamba family mounted with six gut strings; more than fifty different tunings are documented, Ferrabosco using three of them. Among these pieces rank the Lessons for 1, 2 and 3 viols, which include the works for solo lyra viol here collected for the first time as a monographic edition and recorded by Paolo Biordi.His style is effective and satisfying. American Record Guide