The Manchester Gamba Book (c.1660)

"This recording is a considerable achievement by any standard. Berger plays cleanly, his warm tone resonantly captured here. His command of diversions and the ornamentation is impressive even if his intonation occasionally falters."
(Gramophone)

"Here's one for the specialist...Dietmar Berger plays with admirable commitment but it's heavy going for all but the most avid devotee."
(The Observer)

The Manchester Gamba Book is the largest extant manuscript of 17th century viol music, now kept in the Watson music collection in Manchester. Different in many regards from the later cello, the secrets of viola da gamba performance style are revealed in this priceless volume, including Gervise Gerrarde's Paven, the most richly ornamented piece in the instrument's literature. Other contributions include settings of popular English songs of the period, and from otherwise unknown musicians such as Stephen Goodall and Richard Sumarte.