Nicolai: Sonatas & Suites for Viols

The viola da gamba enjoyed a degree of popularity in Germany during the 17th century. Not only was it often paired with the violin in compositions in which the two instruments engaged in a dialogue, but it also had its own repertoire. Johann Michael Nicolai spent most of his life in the service of the court of Stuttgart and left several compositions for ensembles of two or three violas da gamba. Here, L'Achéron presents the complete sonatas and suites, in which the spirit of the Italian sonata is combined with the French suite.