Viola by Jacob Rayman, Southwark, 1641.
There is compelling evidence that the small group of violins and violas made by Jacob Rayman in 1641 were intended for the use of the musicians of the Chapel Royal under the reign of King Charles I. These represent the earliest violin-family instruments of modern form that exist from England. I was delighted to enable the loan of the Rayman viola for this definitive recording made at the Chapel Royal of St James’ Palace with the choir of her Majesties Chapel Royal.
Connoissership at Oxford University.
For the academic world there are deep problems that arise from historic artefacts that are untethered from a record of provenance, and the violin is
