{"product_id":"zubrzycki-slawomir-viola-organista-monologues-dialogues","title":"Zubrzycki, Slawomir - Viola Organista: Monologues \u0026 Dialogues","description":"\u003cp\u003eA landmark recording that brings to life one of the most enigmatic inventions in the history of music: the viola organista, a long-forgotten bowed keyboard instrument originally sketched by Leonardo da Vinci. Produced by Nils Frahm and featuring works by Dowland, Marais, J.S. Bach, and others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe repertoire spans an ambitious cross-section of music from the 17th to 18th centuries, selected by Zubrzycki and Frahm to explore the full expressive and technical range of the viola organista. Highlights include Athanasius Kircher’s ‘Modo Hypodorico,’ written in the melancholic Hypodorian mode; John Dowland’s haunting ‘Lachrimae Antiquae;’ and Marin Marais’ lyrical ‘La Rêveuse’ and dazzling ‘Les folies d’Espagne.’ Works by Handel, Johann Christian Bach, and a mysterious Polish composer, Jan Podbielski, expand the sonic palette. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe album closes with two prominent works: Johann Christian Bach’s ‘Sonata in G Major for 2 Keyboards’ and Johann Sebastian Bach’s ‘Harpsichord Concerto No. 4 in A Major,’ performed with renowned Polish harpsichordist LILIANNA STAWARZ. Her long-time artistic partnership with Zubrzycki brings warmth, precision, and spontaneity to this lively musical dialogue. These pieces reveal the viola organista not merely as a historical curiosity, but as a living, breathing instrument capable of complex expression.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith the number of playable viola organistas growing, so too does the repertoire and potential for artistic exploration. Its singular voice caught the attention of Icelandic artist Björk, who invited Zubrzycki to collaborate on ‘Vulnicura Strings’, an album reimagined for voice, viola organista, and string quartet. In fact, Zubrzycki’s aim is not to produce museum pieces, but playable instruments for modern musicians. ”This isn’t about me. It’s about the instrument. I want others to take it further.” Collaborators like Nils Frahm, whose own interest in timbral nuance and ambient acoustics lends the album its distinctive edge, are key to this future.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eViola Organista: Monologues \u0026amp; Dialogues\u003c\/em\u003e is an audacious act of cultural memory, resurrecting not just an instrument, but a mindset: one in which invention, art, and emotion are bound together in harmonious mechanics.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Leiter","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50546674630934,"sku":"RMX-56265","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0839\/7750\/2998\/files\/0c4a88ee19b05eb4423dd5e0ca611553.jpg?v=1758802844","url":"https:\/\/resident-music-uk.myshopify.com\/products\/zubrzycki-slawomir-viola-organista-monologues-dialogues","provider":"Resident Music UK","version":"1.0","type":"link"}