Schwarzkopff-Sonata for viola de gambe and bassoon

Theodor Schwartzkopff (1659-1732)

The trio-sonata for viola da gamba and bassoon is rather a suite in 5 movements than a sonata. The first movement has the form of an ouverture, with a slow beginning followed by a fastersecond section. All the other movements are dances: a lengthy chaconne followed by three very short dances Bourée, Aria and Gigue. Schwartzkopff’s main oeuvre consists of solo sonatas for viola da gamba, and trio sonatas for viola da gamba and violin. The sonata on this recording, with its simple, but enchanting Chaconne, is one of the few pieces ever with the combinationof viola da gamba and bassoon.