Hi Daniel, et al Point taken regarding digital media going out of date. I was not suggesting relying on lute-tablature saved this way. Merely to print ones own legible paper copy to perform from, with as much of the ornamentation as can be gleaned from the original, even if it happens to be only an old photo-copy.
I entirely agree that printed editions should remain as a primary source, if that is what you have. These should be kept as pristine as possible and used for reference only. These will then retain their value for the lute-players of the future. So, if one has the facility to make a personal performing copy, (which may last only a few years). The life of ones published lute-books has therefore been greatly extended. In a few more years, technology will have replaced today's tab-setting programs. Hopefully, the books and microfilms will still be around to enable other performing-copies to be made with whatever media is available in the future. I am sorry to hear that CD's are already becoming obsolete to the equipment now being made for them. It seems the simplicity of vinyl/bakelite has won the day. PS. Many thanks David. Your comment is exactly what I was trying to say. BTW. Were I a student, I would love to encourage my local university to stock some good Minkoff, SPES etc. edtions. Unfortunately, Loughborough University teaches only Sport and Engineering, and I am way past being a student! Living right in the middle of the UK, I must be at least 100 miles from a University featuring (early) music in their curriculum. Notably Leeds, London, Oxford and Cambridge. If there are other universities in the UK with samples of early music in their libraries. These should be checked for published lute-tablature editions and their addresses listed for the benefit of all lute-players in the UK. Then we would know how far and in which direction to look for a particular source. In the UK 100 miles is a long way In the US 100 years is a long time! Best Wishes Ron (UK)
