Reconstructed version after the Violoncello Concerto in B flat major WKO 52 and the Flute Concerto in C-major WKO 51
A9:2 for viola da gamba, 2 violins, viola and basso, A2:52–54, reconstructed version, edited by Thomas Fritzsch and Günter von Zadow. We know from 18th century London newspaper advertisements that Abel successfully performed his own concertos for viola da gamba and orchestra in numerous events. Unfortunately, the scores of these concertos have not survived, but the cello and flute version of a concerto that was probably originally a viola da gamba concerto. In this edition we present a reconstruction of the viola da gamba version, following very closely the two originals.
While the parts of the string orchestra do not present any particular difficulties, the solo part makes some demands on the performer. With this reconstruction we are expanding the unfortunately somewhat limited concert repertoire for viola da gamba with an important and authentic composition.