Description
Book SynopsisThe baryton is a unique string instrument that provides both bowed melody and plucked accompaniment simultaneously. It emerged in the Baroque era as a solo, self-accompanying viol and was later adopted as a virtuoso melodic instrument to enhance the dramatic arias of the day. A History of the Baryton and Its Music: King of Instruments, Instrument of Kings is the only reference available on this intriguing instrument. This presents a detailed history of the baryton, guidance on playing technique, information on its design and manufacture, descriptions and photos of extant instruments, and a repertoire of hitherto unpublished music. Carol A. Gartrell details the origins and development of the baryton through the instruments that have survived, and through a unique collection of music representing different styles and genres. In addition to a bibliography and an index, the book concludes with two galleries containing an extensive inventory: the first provides detailed descriptions of all extant instruments and more than 20 photographs, while the second gallery catalogs extant manuscripts and supplies a representative selection of complete transcriptions, illustrating the range and variety of baryton music and providing musicians with previously unpublished music they could perform. Complete with a selected discography of baryton recordings, A History of the Baryton and Its Music is an interesting and necessary resource for the musicologist, organologist, and performer.
Trade ReviewIt is the first published study of the baryton, and as such will surely be of great interest to players and scholars in the viol world, to which this kingly and courtly instrument is closely related....The huge body of evidence that they have presented thus far is a tremendous resource, and one that I am certain will prove interesting and useful to scholars and players alike. * Vdgsa News *
The book contains a wealth of information invaluable to a study of the baryton and not available anywhere else....A significant contribution to our understanding of a part of musical history. * Early Music America *
