Dietmar Berger - The Berlin Gamba Book: Chorale Varations (2015)

This recording presents the chorale variations for solo viola da gamba by an anonymous 17th-century master, collected in the so-called Berlin Gamba Book. Only the initials of the arranger—‘J.R.’—are known, but this was clearly someone of passion and discernment who transformed hymns into instrumental music which preserves the solemnity and gravitas of the originals. Dietmar Berger’s recording of the Manchester Gamba Book (8.572863-64) was acclaimed as ‘a considerable achievement by any standard’ (Gramophone).