Original Viol Music by Michael Kimbell, transcriptions and arrangements

Original compositions and arrangements by Michael Kimbell, also transcriptions by Edith and Michael Kimbell, arranged by number of instruments. Please click on a piece’s PDF button to download the PDF free of charge. Most pieces for 3 or more players include parts. 



All tenor parts are in alto clef and most are readily playable on bass. (Note: one of the pieces below is for cello, not viola da gamba.)

Aria and Variations for solo bass viol

by Michael Kimbell

10-minute advanced level solo piece, with fingerings by Farley Pearce.

All 55 sonnets and chansons a2, newly transcribed from the 1610 edition,

transposed, edited and typeset by Michael and Edith Kimbell.

Published 2024 by Saraband Music, Australia

Books 1 and 2 (SM213 and SM214).

Order direct from patrice@saraband.com.au

Appenzeller Kuhreien a2 (TT)

Anonymous rustic-sounding early 16th-century fantasia,

based on Alpine horn calls ushering cows to summer pasture.

Based on an anonymous 15th-century chanson melody. PDF contains three versions for TrT, TB and BB.

Je l’aime Bien a2 (TT)

16th-century chanson by Jan Verdonck.

Players take turns playing John Dowland’s famous melody and contrapuntal accompaniments by Michael Kimbell.

O Wie Ist Es Kalt Geworden a2 (TB)

19th-century popular song by Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben, arranged by Michael Kimbell.

Players take turns with a melody based on “The Three Ravens”

Four Preludes for Etti a2 (TB)

Four miniature preludes by Michael Kimbell.

Players take turns playing 17th-century divisions and accompaniments by Michael Kimbell. PDF includes parts.

A 12-minute piece in late romantic style for advanced players. PDF includes score and cello part.

Fantasia by Michael Kimbell, written in response to a challenge by the Viola da Gamba Gesellschaft; combines A-Bb-Eb-A-G-E theme with melody from “Jesu meine Freude.”

"Fantasia on Themes by John Dowland"  by Michael Kimbell is done more or less in late 16th-century polyphonic style with points of imitation. It opens with a passage based on a signed sketch entitled "Fuga" by Dowland, the only autograph music MS of his that we have. The following sections are based on Lachrimae Tristes, The Earle of Essex Galliard, “What if I never speed”, and Mrs Brigide Fleetwood's Pavan, with recurring brief references to "Fine Knacks for Ladies" and "Flow my Tears".

Transposed for low viols. Includes Dormendo un giorno, Il Capriccioso, La Brava, La Disperata, La Gamba, La Sol Fa Re Mi, Martin menait son porceau (with text), Quand'io penso al martire (with text), and El Trapolato.

"Crossing a Snowfield in Spring", fantasia by Michael Kimbell, inspired by a hiking adventure.

Anonymous lute divisions, distributed amongst the 3 or 4 viols, with contrapuntal counter-divisions. Treble part is optional.

For viols and/or chorus. Poem by Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586).

Based on an anonymous 15th-century melody. This short piece begins a2

and adds vagans voices one at a time.

15-minute motet in 3 sections. For viols alone or to accompany a choir.

Tenor 1 is in long notes and can be played by beginners.

3-voice antiphon by Guillame Dufay

with 3 additional voices by Michael Kimbell.

Based on "Durch Adams Fall" (anon.) and "Susanne un jour" (Lassus)

Appenzeller Kuhreien a2 (TT)

Anonymous rustic-sounding early 16th-century fantasia, based on Alpine horn calls ushering cows to summer pasture.

Based on an anonymous 15th-century chanson melody. PDF contains three versions for TrT, TB and BB.

Je l’aime Bien a2 (TT)

16th-century chanson by Jan Verdonck.

Players take turns playing John Dowland’s famous melody and contrapuntal accompaniments by Michael Kimbell.

O Wie Ist Es Kalt Geworden a2 (TB)

19th-century popular song by Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben, arranged by Michael Kimbell.

Players take turns with a melody based on “The Three Ravens”

Four Preludes for Etti a2 (TB)

Four miniature preludes by Michael Kimbell.

Players take turns playing 17th-century divisions and accompaniments by Michael Kimbell. PDF includes parts.

A 12-minute piece in late romantic style for advanced players. PDF includes score and cello part.

Fantasia by Michael Kimbell, written in response to a challenge by the Viola da Gamba Gesellschaft; combines A-Bb-Eb-A-G-E theme with melody from “Jesu meine Freude.”

"Fantasia on Themes by John Dowland"  by Michael Kimbell is done more or less in late 16th-century polyphonic style with points of imitation. It opens with a passage based on a signed sketch entitled "Fuga" by Dowland, the only autograph music MS of his that we have. The following sections are based on Lachrimae Tristes, The Earle of Essex Galliard, “What if I never speed”, and Mrs Brigide Fleetwood's Pavan, with recurring brief references to "Fine Knacks for Ladies" and "Flow my Tears".

Transposed for low viols. Includes Dormendo un giorno, Il Capriccioso, La Brava, La Disperata, La Gamba, La Sol Fa Re Mi, Martin menait son porceau (with text), Quand'io penso al martire (with text), and El Trapolato.

"Crossing a Snowfield in Spring", fantasia by Michael Kimbell, inspired by a hiking adventure.

Anonymous lute divisions, distributed amongst the 3 or 4 viols, with contrapuntal counter-divisions. Treble part is optional.

For viols and/or chorus. Poem by Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586).

Based on an anonymous 15th-century melody. This short piece begins a2

and adds vagans voices one at a time.

15-minute motet in 3 sections. For viols alone or to accompany a choir.

Tenor 1 is in long notes and can be played by beginners.

3-voice antiphon by Guillame Dufay

with 3 additional voices by Michael Kimbell.

Based on "Durch Adams Fall" (anon.) and "Susanne un jour" (Lassus)

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