The term division refers to a particular type of improvisation or composition that flourished in England in the middle of the seventeenth century. Simply put, division music involves splitting longer notes into shorter ones and larger intervals into smaller ones. In order to 'divide' you need a subject, or theme, and this was most often a pre-existing vocal melody or a repeating ground-bass. Following on from his critically acclaimed recording of solo English viola da gamba works (Tickle the Minikin), founder member of Fantascus, Robert Smith, is joined by the prolific and celebrated viola da gambist, Paolo Pandolfo, for this album of English duos for the instrument. Featuring a selection of seventeenth-century repertoire from Christopher Simpson, John Jenkins and Simon Ives, this album is packed with divisions for duo, which are often intensely virtuosic. Also featured are a selecon of preludes from Christopher Simpson's The Division Viol and an addional prelude by Smith himself.

Tracklist:

Divisions For Two Viols In G Major, Vdgs 28
Prelude No. 2 In D Minor
Divisions On A Ground In D Major, Vdgs 21
Prelude No. 5 In A Minor
Divisions On A Ground In A Minor, Vdgs 19
Divisions On A Ground In C Major, Vdgs 13
Ayre For Two Bass Viols No. 1
Prelude No. 4 In F Major
Division For Two Viols In F Major, Vdgs 26
Air With Divisions In C Major, Vdgs 11
Divisions On A Ground In A Minor, Vdgs 20
Prelude No. 11 In B-Flat Major
Divisions On A Ground In A Major, Vdgs 18
Prelude No. 7 In G Minor
Divisions On A Ground In G Minor, Vdgs 23
Ayre For Two Bass Viols No. 2
Prelude In A Minor
Division For Two Viols In A Minor, Vdgs 25
Air With Divisions In C Major, Vdgs 12
Ayre For Bass Viols And Basso Continuo In D Minor, Vdgs 32
Prelude No. 3 In F Major
Division For Two Viols In F Major, Vdgs 27

UPC: 5060262790915
Label: Resonus Classics
Release Date: 4.28.17
Format: CD

Robert Smith - The Excellency of Hand: English Viola da Gamba Duos (CD)