Carl Friedrich Abel (1723–1787) was a German composer and virtuoso viola da gamba player, celebrated for his refined, expressive music and his role in shaping the early Classical style alongside his colleague J.C. Bach in London. This album, The Drexel Manuscript, features 29 Pieces and are performed by Alejandro Marías on the viola da gamba, bringing sensitivity and nuance to this rich collection of 18th-century music. Alejandro Marías describes the collection as “one of the most important works in viola da gamba literature—a deeply personal and expressive legacy that challenges the performer to serve the music, not just display technique.”