Greetings from California

[Exophile]

Just joined here to get some intel on a new system I am putting together (will post that in other section). I like a variety of music styles from medieval chants to punk. I don't consider myself an "audiophile" just like good sound, and like to listen to quality music. I play viola d'amore in baroque set-up with gut strings and clip-in bow. I mention that because I think that playing music provides a different level of appreciation than just listening to it.

[walpurgis]

Hello Daniel. Welcome to AOS.

Tell us what equipment you are using and what future plans you may have for your system.

There's a lot going on here, so just join in any chat that interests you.


Enjoy the forum,
Geoff.

[Exophile]

Hi Geoff,

Re future plans, I put a post in the blank canvass category; I hope I put it in the right spot:

https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?59543-New-system-opinion-Rotel-1572-Thorens-203-Focal-Dome-Flax-Sonos-Connect&p=1000187#post1000187

Let me know what you think. Looking forward to opinions and pointers!

[Jimbo]

Hi Daniel and welcome to AOS. Always nice to have chaps from the States on here as you guys bring some interesting stateside experience to the forum.

I notice you like a wide variety of music and indeed play one of my favourite instruments. I listen to a lot of baroque music myself although I don't play I am fascinated by the period and the music from the early middle ages through to the 17th Century.

I must mention a couple of albums you may be interested in and have posted links here.

http://www.marecordings.com/main/product_info.php?cPath=61&products_id=186

http://www.marecordings.com/main/product_info.php?cPath=49&products_id=165

and a magical album form Hildegard Von Bingen

http://www.carpediem-records.de/en/vox-cosmica

[Exophile]

Hi James,

Cudos that you know about VdA, and even have an opinion. Very rare, indeed!

If you want listen to some VdA recordings, give Tom Georgi a try. His "Many strings attached" is available for free download (CD is out of print). His three Ariosti CDs on BIS are worth every penny. He also a nice guy and exquisite teacher. Then also Marianne Rônez' CDs, particularly her new one accompanying her Göttweig ms edition (fun to play as well). She's also a great person and extraordinarily knowledgeable. If you like to go for something out of the ordinary, try Tilo Hirsch's Tromba Marina recordings. He's from the Basel Schola Cantorum. Whacky stuff out of left field. Gamba consorts are certainly high on my list, lots to choose from.

Then there are the baroque "Kleinmeister" such as Erlenbach and Schütz, overlooked but refreshing after standard Telemann and Bach. I also like to play Süss, currently working on some Guilliani, and Anonymous is versatile and often surprisingly good.

[Jimbo]

Hi James,

Cudos that you know about VdA, and even have an opinion. Very rare, indeed!

If you want listen to some VdA recordings, give Tom Georgi a try. His "Many strings attached" is available for free download (CD is out of print). His three Ariosti CDs on BIS are worth every penny. He also a nice guy and exquisite teacher. Then also Marianne Rônez' CDs, particularly her new one accompanying her Göttweig ms edition (fun to play as well). She's also a great person and extraordinarily knowledgeable. If you like to go for something out of the ordinary, try Tilo Hirsch's Tromba Marina recordings. He's from the Basel Schola Cantorum. Whacky stuff out of left field. Gamba consorts are certainly high on my list, lots to choose from.

Then there are the baroque "Kleinmeister" such as Erlenbach and Schütz, overlooked but refreshing after standard Telemann and Bach. I also like to play Süss, currently working on some Guilliani, and Anonymous is versatile and often surprisingly good.

Its a beautiful sounding instrument and I believe key in a lot of baroque and early music. I love the tone of the Viola as it has more depth and woody timbre than a violin which i find can be a bit screechy.:) My partner particularly likes the cello and is forever asking me to find cello recordings. Last Christmas we heard 15 cellists playing an unusual concert in a church back here in Birmingham England.

I will look into your recommendations Daniel, thank you.

[Exophile]

Hi James,

just to be clear:
Viola = 4 stringed instrument usually tuned C-G-D-A. part of the violin family.
Viola d'amore = 6-7 playing strings, plus 6-7 sympathetic/resonance strings. So total of 12-14 strings! Tuned ADADf#ad, or any of the "scordatura" tunings. Part of the viol (aka viola da gamba) family, so an unfretted da braccio viola da gamba.

Those are my instruments
http://www.violadamoresociety.org/instruments/VDA028.html
http://www.violadamoresociety.org/instruments/VDA001.htm
http://finestrings.tumblr.com/post/101194733851/viola-damore-set-up-and-ready-to-play

[Jimbo]

Hi James,

just to be clear:
Viola = 4 stringed instrument usually tuned C-G-D-A. part of the violin family.
Viola d'amore = 6-7 playing strings, plus 6-7 sympathetic/resonance strings. So total of 12-14 strings! Tuned ADADf#ad, or any of the "scordatura" tunings. Part of the viol (aka viola da gamba) family, so an unfretted da braccio viola da gamba.

Those are my instruments
http://www.violadamoresociety.org/instruments/VDA028.html
http://www.violadamoresociety.org/instruments/VDA001.htm
http://finestrings.tumblr.com/post/101194733851/viola-damore-set-up-and-ready-to-play

Beautiful instruments Daniel, thank you for the pics.