Přehled o publikaci

This contribution presents the results of research focused on exploring the possibilities (and limitations) of the viola d'amore in the context of contemporary music. The viola d'amore is an instrument that is not commonly available today, but is classified as an "early instrument." Most compositions for the viola d'amore were written between the mid-17th century and the end of the 18th century. The viola d'amore is a special instrument that usually has 6-7 strings and the same number of sympathetic strings running under the fingerboard, primarily to increase the resonance of the instrument and give the viola d'amore its specific tone color. The possibilities of the viola d'amore in terms of dynamics, timbre, articulation, harmony, harmonics, microintervals, tuning systems, and percussive sounds were explored based on available literature about the instrument, the study of compositions (mainly by contemporary composers), and consultations with composer and viola d'amore player Rachel Stott, instrument maker Sam Laming, viola d'amore player specializing in new music Marc Fusi, and composer, viola d'amore player, and instrument maker Annegret Mayer-Lindenberg. Exploring the possibilities of the viola d'amore was closely linked to the creation of her own composition Girlandy for solo viola d'amore.