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Dorian Recordings

DOR-90186

The Renaissance Lute

Ronn McFarlane, Lute

DOR-90186 Cover - 19855 Bytes When first conceiving this recording, I imagined myself as a first time listener to the lute.   I have tried to bring together a collection of pieces that capture some of the variety and range of styles of the Renaissance lute.
The lute was the favorite solo instrument of the Renaissance, valued for its portability and its expressiveness.   The lute's shadings of dynamics and tone color were literally at the tip of one's fingers.
…
I hope that these varying colors and textures of sound will help communicate the spirit and character of these pieces more clearly, as well as keeping the ear refreshed.   For any variety of sounds will be meaningless unless tied to the emotional or structural content of the music.
-Ronn McFarlane

[  1] Branle - Pierre Attaingnant, pub. (1530, Paris) +
[  2] Branle gay. Cest mon amy
[  3] Haulberroys
[  4] Haulberroys
[  5] Branle de Poictou

[  6] Petite fantasie dessus l'accord du Lent - Adrian Le Roy (c.1520-1598) *
[  7] Passemeze

[  8] Pavana Bray - William Byrd (1543-1623) *
[  9] Galliard

[10] Forlorn Hope Fancy - John Dowland (1563-1626) *

[11] Greensleeves - Anon. (Ballet Lute Book c.1590) *
[12] Greensleeves - Anon. (Thysius Lute Book c. 1600)
[13] Greensleeves - Francis Cutting (c.1595)
[14] John Come Kiss Me Now - Anon. (Cozens Lute Book c.1600)

[15] Madonna katerina - Hans Judenkünig (c.1517, Vienna) +
[16] Christ ist erstanden (Christ is risen)
[17] Und wer er nit erstandin (And who is not risen)
[18] Der hoff dantz
[19] Der hoff dantz (Nach tantz)

[20] Preambel - Hans Newsidler (1536, Nuremberg) +
[21] Elslein liebstes Elslein mein (Dearest Elslein my Elslein)
[22] Ich klag den tag (I lament the day)
[23] Ein welscher tantz Wascha mesa
[24] Der hupff auff

[25] Fantasia - Luis Milan (1536, Valencia) *
[26] Conde Claros - Luis de Narvaez (1538, Valladolid)
[27] Mille regretz

[28] Passacaglia - Alessandro Piccinni (1566-1638) *

[29] Branles de village - Robert Ballard (1614, Paris) *

[30] Fantasia - Valentin Bakfark (1507-1576) *

[31] Pavana alla ferrarese - Joanambrosio Dalza (1508, Venice) +
[32] Saltarello
[33] Piva

[34] Ricercar #51 - Francesco da Milano (1497-1543) *
[35] Ricercar #16
[36] Fantasia #33
[37] Ricercar #34
[38] O Bone Jesu

* 8-course lute by Andrew Rutherford, New York, 1986
+ 6-course lute by Ray Nurse, Vancouver, 1992


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