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ITALIAN LUTE MUSIC

Alessandro PICCININI (1566-1638)
1. Toccata XXIII [3:11]
Michelangelo GALILEI (Munchen, 1620)
2. Corrente [1:39]
3. Corrente [2:04]
Santino GARSI Da PARMA (1542-1604)
4. Gailliarda [1:11]
5. Balletto [1:36]
6. Balletto [1:47]
Bernardo GIANONCELLI (Venezia, 1650)
7.Corrente e la sua spezzata [2:20]
8.Corrente e la sua spezzata [1:57]
9.Corrente e la sua spezzata [3:05]
Alessandro PICCININI (1566-1638)
10. Toccata XX [3:08]
Francesco CANOVA DA MILANO (1497-1543)
11. Fantasia [2:04]
Vincenzo CAPIROLA (Bergamo, 1517)
12. Balletto [0:58]
Antonio CASTIGLIONO (1536)
13.Saltarelo chiamato Rose Viole [1:19]
ANONYMOUS (ca. 1500)
14. Calata [1:34]
Francesco CANOVA DA MILANO (1497-1543)
15. Ricercar [3:20]
Vincenzo CAPIROLA (Bergamo, 1517)
18.0 mis cieca e dura sorteí [2:06]
17. 'Che farala' [1:11]
18. LaSpagna II [2:44]
19. LaSpagna III [1:34]
Francesco CANOVA DA MILANO (1497-1543)
20. Fantasia [2:31]
Marco Fabrizio CAROSO (1526-1600)
21. Barriers [2:38]
Cesare NEGRI (Milano, 1602)
22.Leggiadra Marins [1:47]
23. Alts Mendozza [2:15]
Marco Fabrizio CAROSO (1526-1600)
24. Spagnoletta [1:40]
Christian Zimmermann: Renaissancelaute/Arciliuto
Rec: August 1993.
ANTES EDITION BM-CD 31.9030 [49:49]


 

The 17th century saw an increase in the popularity of the lute in Italy. Originally an instrument played by minstrels and professional musicians, it became an instrument played also by "educated amateurs". This coincided with a period in which the wealthy classes were developing new interests and a new importance, and the value of music as entertainment, both for playing and listening, also augmented.

The lute is an instrument that lends itself toward solo playing. A polyphonic instrument, it fits equally well as accompaniment to songs, such as those played by minstrels, as to instrumental works. Many European countries had a much more extensive repertoire of solo lute music than Italy - such composers as John Dowland, in England, or Sylvius Leopold Weiss, in Germany, composed a great deal of music for the lute.

This disc contains a selection of works from a book published in 1623, Intavolatura di Liuto, which included a variety of works from various composers of the period, and Intabolature de Leuto, printed in Milan in 1536. At this time, lute music was at its height in Italy. The works on this recording include dance movements (correntes, ballettos) fantasias, a ricercar, a toccata and a variety of other short pieces.

Very well played and recorded, this is an excellent panorama of the final period of this instrument's popularity in Italy. For, shortly after this time, the lute's status as a solo instrument waned - as additional bass strings were added to the instrument during the 16th century, it became more difficult to play. It would go on to be used for another century in the basso continuo group of Italian baroque opera, but, unlike in other European countries, was no longer used for solo music.

A very attractive selection of lute music from 16th century Italy, well played and recorded.

Kirk McElhearn

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