Bach Brandenburgische Konzerte

This concerto is scored for two viole da braccio (regular violas or arm violas), two viole da gamba, cello, violone and harpsichord. The absence of violins is unusual, as it is the choice of using two viole da gambas, an already old fashioned instrument even by 1721 standards. There are many theories about this: one speculates that Prince Leopold actually played the viola da gamba and wanted to join the Kapellmeister.