MENTE, Johann Gottfried (1698-ca.1760)
Mente, Suite for viola da gamba.
VdG+Bc
In this Suite, the influences of French viol music (Marais) mix with those of German sensitivity (J. G. Graun, C. P. E. Bach, Schaffrath). Rapid scale passages and multi-voiced chords characterize this catchyand captivating music. It is certainly not a coincidence that Mente chose the key of A-Minor, since it offers the possibility of exploiting to the full the low notes of the seventh string. Mente was obviously an outstanding artist on this instrument, and the suite deserves a place in the repertoire of late viol music from Germany.
Editor: Günter and Leonore von Zadow.
