Life After Death: The Viola da Gamba in Britain from Purcell to Dolmetsch (Music in Britain, 1600-1900, 6)

This book is a treasure of research and culture. It covers he later period of English viola da gamba playing, and the renaissance in the 19th century. The author covers all aspects of the instrument, from composers to music to instrument makers. The viola da gamba community is certainly small, and this is a must read for this community.

Holman's careful research into Karl Friedrich Abel and his small London circle forms the core of this book. A thorough compilation of huge quantities of data about the period after the end of the French 17C kings until and including the rediscovery of the gamba by the Dolmetsches. Amazing the thin, but surviving trail throughout those centuries! Thank goodness the enlightenment gave rise to a sense of historic necessity which made it possible for so many threads of information to survive the two World Wars.