Peter Sheppard Skærved performs “A Set of Tunings” by Thomas Baltzar (1630 -1663) on a Viola made by Jacob Stainer, ca. 1660, (2013.910). The works chosen for this instrument stretch from the 1580s to the 1680s. The viola is heard in two different tunings, which reveals contrasting colouristic and timbral possibilities. The instrument is in modern set-up but played here with an early bow made by Antonino Airenti of Genoa.
Thomas Baltzar was the most celebrated violinist at the court of Charles II. The apparently simple notation of this set of four movements offers the player the chance to embellish the material. The scordatura tuning called for in this set (D A d f-sharp) offers a range of brighter colours than conventional tunings. In the 17th century it was normal to adjust the tuning of fretless string instruments to suit the requirements of individual pieces, just as it is with guitars today even though the practice has largely died out in classical violin and viola playing.
(Peter Sheppard Skærved, 2023)
For more information about The Met’s Stainer viola please visit: bit.ly/43gmqAy.
This video was the result of a collaboration between Peter Sheppard Skærved, The Royal Academy of Music, and The Department of Musical Instruments at The Met.
A production of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Video edited by Christopher Shurtleff
Sound Recording and Post-Production Audio by Bobby Berry
Organized by the Department of Musical Instruments
Jayson Kerr Dobney, Frederick P. Rose Curator-in-Charge
Bradley Strauchen-Scherer, Curator
Manu Frederickx, Conservator
Tim Caster, Principal Departmental Technician
Pamela Summey, Programs Coordinator
Nicole Sussmane, Associate Administrator