Hidden World of the Viola d'Amore
Welcome to Viola D'Amore Updated March 2010
* Georgi's playing is consistently brilliant; he draws an uncommonly warm sound from his Thomas Eberle viola d'amore.... Carlos Maria Solare, The Strad, May 2009
This website was set up with the purpose of fostering a wider understanding of the viola d'amore and its repertoire. This site is offered with the understanding that the music downloaded is for personal or educational use only, and is not to be reproduced for profit. Furthermore, the information I present here is the best I was able to assemble, but I am sure there is more to learn about this beautiful but complicated instrument.
This site is partly here to promote my recordings, Bis 1535, Bis 1555, Bis 1675, my 3 volume set of Attilio Ariosti's complete music for viola d'amore, and partly for other efforts on behalf of the viola d'amore. Especially important to me is helping musicians overcome two of the big stumbling blocks to the wider use of the viola d'amore, finding instruments, and obtaining viola d'amore music together with the knowledge needed to decipher it.
You may buy copies of my cds from me, please do. I have copies of all my Bis CDs, so it is possible to purchase them from me. If you do, I actually make money on the cds, which is nice. You can listen before you buy here. I accept paypal, or checks in US $ or in C$'s. Please email me if you are interested: thomasgeorgi(at)rogers.com.
Have a listen to a recent video of a rare duet for two violas d'amore by a 19th century composer named Kral: Kral Nocture
Some years ago I made couple of very short video clips, helped by a colleague, posted them on this website. Then deleted them, but they found a life of their own on youtube. For the record, this video was shot in the back courtyard of Kloster Irsee. I am playing the first ritornello and first solo from Vivaldi's concerto for viola d'amore (minus the orchestra!) Vivaldi Concerto for Viola d'amore in D.
Youtube has been a boon to the viola d'amore. I have posted a few videos of my own, and tried to favorite some very interesting and unusual work connected to the viola d'amore here.
While you are at youtube don't miss Garth Knox's channel!
For another website devoted to the viola d'amore see The Viola d'amore Society of America site.
In time for St John Passion season, see Leon's site for free scordatura parts for the two Bach arias with viola d'amore.
Here are a number of links to facsimiles of viola d'amore music, for free!
Pezold's Suite in A
Pezold's Suite in F
Brentner's Partita in F
Telemann's Sonate in D for vla d'amore, flauto and b.c.
Quantz Sonate in F for vla d'amore, flauto and b.c.
Quantz's Sonate in c for vla d'amore, flauto and b.c.
Telemann's concerto in E!
For Mauro Righini's viola d'amore blog: Blog
Several makers make violas d'amore based on my Thomas Eberle, here is the website of one of these makers: Eberle copies.
You may e-mail questions about the history and repertoire of the viola d'amore, comments about particular pieces of music for viola d'amore, to thomasgeorgi (at) rogers.com. Thanks to all of the many visitors who have contributed questions and comments. I have been amazed at the depth of knowledge of the repertoire I have found on the web. Thomas Georgi