Polyphony Project

Overview

Researcher: Tess Roberts

I play the viola da gamba (or viol), an instrument that needs community to thrive. It is mainly played in consorts, and today these are often inter-generational, meet just to play for fun, and rarely have a goal of performance in mind. I believe this culture creates a lasting community amongst the players that is unique, and can enrich both professional and amateur music-making.

This project is an exploration into both what makes these communities so special, and how I can better share and create similar opportunities for others. The project is participatory; every performer is an active part of deciding what we study and how we study it. Participants include students from the Royal Academy of Music as well as members of the public that play the viol, and I document and reflect on our meetings, and interview participants about their experiences.

Since the emergence of the viol during the end of the 15th century, people have been gathering to play the intricate music that developed with it. This music is written in a polyphonic style, where every voice has its own melody, with none more important than another. As in our music, every participant in this research project provides a unique view and experience that, going forward, can inspire us to build trust and community in music-making.

Image: Ganassi, Silvestro, and Giacomo Fogliano. Regola Rvbertina: Regola Che Insegna Sonar De Uiola Darcho Tastada. [Venetia, to 1543, 1542]