"Professor Abel", painted ca. 1777 by Thomas Gainsborough (oil on canvas), is an homage to his friend. Shown are some of the elements that first got my attention. The painting is in The Huntington Art Gallery collection,Karl Friedrich Abel (December 22, 1723 -- June 20, 1787) was a German composer of the Classical era, spanning the life-time of Jean B, Russeau. He was a fine player on the viola da gamba, and composed important music for that instrument. Abel was born in Cöthen, the son of Christian Ferdinand Abel, the principal viola da gamba and cello player in the court orchestra of Johann Sebastian Bach. It was on Bach's recommendation that in 1748 he was able to join Johann Adolph Hasse's court orchestra at Dresden where remained for 10 years. In 1759 he went to England, and became chamber-musician to Queen Charlotte. He gave a concert of his own compositions in London, performing on various instruments, one of which, the pentachord, was newly invented. He was a boy pupil of J.S. Bach, who in turn was a god-father to one of Abel's children. Professor Abel occupied a unique position in the history of music. With Johann Christian Bach, he co-managed, performed and composed for one of the most successful concert organizations in London during the late 18th century. From 1765 to 1782, the popular Bach-Abel series was his principal venue, yet the instrument on which his fame rested as a performer was by then universally considered to be old-fashioned and out-of-date. Few amateurs and even fewer professionals were attracted to the viola da gamba after the close of the Baroque period. However, the music which Abel played on these concerts was anything but out-of-date. The 'Prelude' on this recording, played on a viola da gamba by John Dornenburg, is an example; it was taken from a manuscript (New York Public Library, Drexel 5871) containing thirty pieces thought to represent the style of Abel's solo improvisations.Adendum by HARMONICO101Actually the main reason that the instrument fell into oblivion was becuase it's sound was not loud enough for concert halls. In the baroque and renaissance, most musical performances occured in the home, small theatres, churches, or the palaces of the nobility. Towards the end of the 18th century nad into the 19th century, performances moved from the chambers of the rich to the concert halls. The viola da gamba was not loud enought to be heard effectively and didn't fit well into an orchestra.Thank you Martins de Sa for the "palhinha" and Harmonico, for the clarification.------------------------------------------Thomas Gainsborough (Britanico, 1727-1788) pintou em ca. 1777 um óleo sobre tela que chamou "Professor Abel", uma homenagem ao seu amigo. EA belissima viola da gamba mostrada no video foi um dos primeiros elementos que me chamou a atenção no quadro, em exposicao na Galeira de Arte do Huntington, San Marino.Karl Friedrich Abel (n 1723 - m 1787) foi um compositor alemão da era clássica, abrangendo o período de vida do filosofo e compositor Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Abel, que tocava muito bem a viola da gamba, compos músicas para esse importante instrumento. Nascido em Cöthen, Alemanha, era filho de Christian Ferdinand Abel, que foi o tocador principal de viola da gamba e violãocelo da orquestra do grande Johann Sebastian Bach. Por recomendação de Bach, em 1748 ele se uniu a orquestra de Johann Adolph Hasse em Dresden onde permaneceu por 10 anos.Em 1759 Abel foi para a Inglaterra, onde se tornou músico de câmara da Rainha Charlotte. Abel deu concertos de suas próprias composições em Londres, realizandos em diferentes instrumentos, um dos quais o "pentachord" (cinco cordas), recentemente inventado. Ainda garoto, foi aluno de Johann.S. Bach, que por sua vez era padrinho de um de seus filhos.O professor Abel ocupou uma posição única na história da música. Com Johann Christian Bach, o decimo primeiro e filho mais jovem de Johann Sebastian Bach, ele co-gerenciou, realizou e compos uma das mais bem sucedidas organizações de concertos em Londres durante o final do século 18. De 1765 a 1782, a série popular Bach-Abel foi muito ouvida pelo publico local, mas o instrumento em que a sua fama repousa como tocador estava então a ser universalmente considerado antiquado, fora de epoca!. Poucos amadores e mesmo profissionais foram atraidos para a viola da gamba após o encerramento do período barroco. No entanto, a música que Abel executava nesses concertos, foi tudo menos algo que "ja' era"!.O "Preludio" que ouvimos, foi composto pelo professor Abel, aqui tocado por John Dornenburg numa viola da gamba. O professor Abel foi o ultimo a compor trabalhos para a viola de gamba!. Dedicada a todos que apreciam o violãocelo e a viola da gamba.
