ALC 0140 Viola Da Gamba Fantasia

F A N T A S I A

“The most principall and chiefest kind of musicke which is made without a dittie is the fantasia, that is, when a musician taketh a point at his pleasure, and wresteth and turneth it as he list, making either much or little of it according as shall seeme best in his own conceit. In this may more art be showne then in any other musicke, because the composer is tide to nothing but that he may adde, deminish, and alter at his pleasure. And this kind will beare any allowances whatsoeuer tolerable in other musicke, except changing the ayre & leaving the key, which in fantasie may neuer be suffered. Other things you may use at your pleasure, as bindings with discordes, quicke motions, slow motions, proportions, and what you list. Likewise, this kind of musick is with them who practise instruments of part in greatest use, but for voices it is but sildome used.” (Thomas Morley: Plaine and Easie Introduction to Practical Musick, 1597. The third Part, p.180).