Catalogue of Solo and Chamber Music for Viola da Gamba

D-B Mus. ms. autogr. theor. W. Tappert (olim D-DS 2929)

The piece was found in a manuscript volume with 4 further French and German arias, held in the Großherzöglichen Bibliothek Darmstadt, as summarily described by Both (see bibliography). According to information from Noack (see bibliography), it was composed by the Kapellmeister Christian Theodor Voelckel, and was part of a number of arias sent to Darmstadt in 1640.

The manuscript was destroyed during World War II, but there is a copy by Wilhelm Tappert (in 900-1900. Tausend Jahre Entwicklungsgeschichte der musikalischen Zeichenschrift, Berlin, ms., 1901, a manuscript study preserved in Berlin), who found it on a single sheet of paper. This copy reproduces at the upper part the tablature for viola da gamba in D, at the lower part the melody with the text of the first strophe. The viol mostly plays the same melody adding some accompanying notes. It is not possible to infer from the disposition whether the two parts are to be performed together (thus with the doubling of the melody) or alternately.

It is evident that the term 'Viola Bastarta' is used here as in other German sources for the solo viola da gamba and has no connection with the Italian viola bastarda technique.

B/VII, p. 38

F. W. E. Both, Musik-Handschriften der Darmstädter Hofbibliothek, beschrieben von F. W. E. Both, “Monatshefte für Musik-Geschichte”, vol. XX, 1888, pp. 89-90.

Elisabeth Noack, Musikgeschichte Darmstadts vom Mittelalter bis zur Goethezeit, Mainz, Schott, 1967, p. 95.