>that's why I downloaded Alfonso's collection, although it took ages on my >old messerschmidt PC. (It's an old Siemens =])
But at least those Messerschmidt PCs are nice and compact. :-) >What a good idea and fine collection Alfonso! Together with the pictures >McFeely's posted, it's excellent reference. Speaking of which, I couldn't figure out how to download McFeely's pictures in one swoop. Everything else is in PDF. >I thought I had a theory about all those impossible stretches you sometimes >encounter in the 1500's repertoire, that perhaps those old masters played on >"small lutes", what we today would call A-lutes, and that is why we have >such difficulties with doing justice to their music on today's 60 cm. + >lutes? > >PS. Wish I had a teeny-weeny 6 or 7 course A-lute! Anyone who has >experienced one? I'm so glad you mentioned this. I just bought a WONDERFUL John Rollins alto lute with a string length of 51cm. That was precisely the thought that went through my mind as I read through stuff. It all made sense! Of course the pics, as far as I know in my shallow browsing, don't support the widespread use. In fact, sometimes they often have huge lutes, but there is a lot that doesn't make sense in the lute world and iconography. I hope others will chime in on this thread. cheers, -- Ed Durbrow Saitama, Japan http://www9.plala.or.jp/edurbrow/
