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The musicians give the accompaniment, a single basso continuo line, pleasing variety because of the various combinations of bass viol, harpsichord, organ, lute and theorbo.

The first of them, the traditional Scottish “Regents Rant,” Savall dispatched — solo — with dazzling virtuosity on the bass viol.

The weirdest and most wonderful comes in the seduction scene: a bass viol and a glass harmonica intertwine in a gently rasping glow, sparse yet achingly sensual, and the air crackles with tension.

With the strident boom of the bass viol came the rank smell of the dog-fennel that hurrying feet had left bruised and wilting in the sun.

In the Western gallery, three fiddles, two hautboys, and a bass viol squeaked and groaned with much fervour.