[LUTE] Decisions, decisions
As retirement, and subsequent reduction of money to spend on luxuries, approaches, my wife (or 'wifu', David, but never again 'her indoors') has informed me that it should be possible for me to buy one last instrument. Realistically, though, I couldn't really go much beyond £2000( plus whatever I can get for my 1979 nine-course orpharion, which my slightly arthritic wrists, elbows shoulders cannot manage to play now) At present, I have (in addition to the orpharion) a six-course G lute, a six-course G viola da mano, and a seven-course G lute that I built some 30 years ago from the Harwood Isaacs lute kit - no prizes for guessing the repertoire that I have been playing. But now I find myself totally unsure what to choose. For many years I have dreamed of one day owning a baroque lute. Would that be a sensible choice for a man whose fingers are slowing down (to say nothing of his brain!). And if it were a sensible choice, then how many courses? The only baroque repertoire that I am at all familiar with is Weiss (thanks to Robert Barto) and Bach (thanks to Walter Gerwig) - almost certainly too demanding for me to contemplate trying to learn. I know nothing of the French 17th century styles, is there scope there for an aging novice? Should I stick to the 'Golden Age', simply moving from mostly pre-1550 to focus more on 1600? And then, once more the question arises, how many courses? I know this was discussed a few months ago I can go and look in the archives... Or, should I stick with what I am accustomed to and buy an instrument of different character - a vihuela in A, for example, of a lower pitched lute in E or F? Or... should I simply tell my wife, 'No, dear, I really don't need any more instruments - I think you should buy yourself a bigger greenhouse'? I would seriously welcome suggestions and advice. Alan -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 3 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: The London Manuscript
Markus In case Eugene is busy... 'Her indoors' is a popular phrase in England which some men to use when referring to their wives. So 'her indoors wasn't impressed' implies that Eugene's wife (or partner) did not approve of the expense of buying so many CDs. If you are interested, the phrase became popular from a TV drama series where the central character, a dishonest, rich man called Arthur Daley (played by the actor George Cole) used it - his wife never actually appeared in any of the episodes: always indoors, I suppose! Best wishes Alan - Original Message - From: Markus Lutz [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: EUGENE BRAIG IV [EMAIL PROTECTED]; lute@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:40 AM Subject: [LUTE] Re: The London Manuscript Sorry Eugene, I can't read what you mean ... As far as I know it is possible to get the whole of the recordings from Michel Cardin directly. Some years ago, he stopped to work with SNE, so at the moment he distributes his CDs on his own. His webpage is: http://www.michelcardin.com There he gives his adress, email and phone: Michel Cardin Édifice des beaux-Arts Campus-Université de Moncton Moncton, NB Canada E1A 3E9 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Telephone : (Canada) 506-859-6015 Best regards Markus EUGENE BRAIG IV schrieb: Sorry=2E=26nbsp=3B I don=27t know why that sometimes happens to my messa= ges when replying via webmail=2E=3CBR=3E=26nbsp=3B=3CBR=3EEugene=3CBR=3E= =3CBR=3E- Original Message -=3CBR=3EFrom=3A EUGENE BRAIG IV =26l= t=3Bbraig=2E1=40osu=2Eedu=26gt=3B=3CBR=3EDate=3A Wednesday=2C June 11=2C= 2008 11=3A36 pm=3CBR=3ESubject=3A =5BLUTE=5D Re=3A The London Manuscrip= t=3CBR=3ETo=3A Narada =26lt=3Bblues=2Efor=2Enarada=40ntlworld=2Ecom=26gt= =3B=3CBR=3ECc=3A lute=40cs=2Edartmouth=2Eedu=3CBR=3E=3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =26= nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B Vol=3D2E3 also has suite no=3D2E9=3D2E=3D26nbsp=3D3B T= he =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B first 11 vols=3D2E were=3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B=26= nbsp=3B rel=3D eased on the Canadian label SNE=3D2C but =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B= vol=3D2E12 was released=3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B independen= t=3D ly (that last vol=3D2E=3D2C all =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B reconstructed flut= e-lute=3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B duos)=3D2E=3D26nbsp=3D3B =3D= A couple-few years ago=3D2C =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B Michel was negotiating=3CB= R=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B to have the whole set r=3D elease as a= boxed =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B collection (I believe=3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B= =26nbsp=3B potentially through H=3D3CFONT fac=3D e=3D3D=3D22Times New =3C= BR=3E=26gt=3B Roman=3D2C=26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B serif=3D22= =3D3E=3DE4=3D3C/FONT=3D3Enssler)=3D2E=3D26nbsp=3D3B =3D I haven=3D27t he= ard=3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B anything for a while and suspec= t that effort never =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B bor=3D e=3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B= =26nbsp=3B =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B fruit=3D2E=3D3CBR=3D3E=3D26nbsp=3D3B=3D3CBR=3D= 3EBest=3D2C=3D3CBR=3D3EEugene=3D3CBR=3D3E=3D3CBR=3D3E=26nbsp=3B=26nbsp= 3B= =3D =3D3CBR=3D3E- Original Message -=3D3CBR=3D3EFrom=3D3A Narad= a=3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B =3D26lt=3D3Bblues=3D =3CBR=3E=26g= t=3B =3D2Efor=3D2Enarada=3D40ntlworld=3D2Ecom=3D26gt=3D3B=3D3CBR=3D3EDat= e=3D3A=26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B Wednesday=3D2C Jun=3D e 11=3D2C 2008 7=3D3A41= pm=3D3CBR=3D3ESubject=3D3A =3D5BLUTE=3D5D=3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B=26= nbsp=3B Re=3D3A The London Man=3D uscript=3D3CBR=3D3ETo=3D3A=3CBR=3E=26g= t=3B =26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B lute=3D40cs=3D2Edartmouth=3D2= Eedu=3D3CBR=3D3E=3D3CBR=3D3E=3D26gt=3D3B=3D =3D3CBR=3D3E=3D26gt=3D3B=3CB= R=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B =3D3CBR=3D3E=3D26gt=3D3B -Original= Message-=3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =3D3CBR=3D3E=3D26=3D gt=3D3B From=3D3A=3CB= R=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B Narada =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =3D5Bmailto=3D= 3Ablues=3D2Efor=3D2Enarada=3D40ntlworld=3D2Ecom=3D5D=3D=26nbsp=3B=26nbs p= =3B =3D3CBR=3D3E=3D26gt=3D3B Sent=3D3A 12 June 2008 00=3D3A35=3D3CBR=3D3= E=3D26gt=3D3B To=3D3A=3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B =3D27=3D Edwa= rd Martin=3D27=3D3CBR=3D3E=3D26gt=3D3B Subject=3D3A =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B RE=3D= 3A =3D5BLUTE=3D5D The=3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B London =3D Ma= nuscript=3D3CBR=3D3E=3D26gt=3D3B =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =3D3CBR=3D3E=3D26gt=3D= 3B Hi=3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B Ed=3D2C=3D3CBR=3D3E=3D26gt=3D= 3B =3D3C=3D BR=3D3E=3D26gt=3D3B It is a =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B recording by Mi= chel=3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B Cardin=3D2E There are 12 Cd=3D= 27s =3D in total=3D2E =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B =3D3CBR=3D3E=3D26gt=3D3B Vol 3=3C= BR=3E=26gt=3B =26nbsp=3B=26nbsp=3B is=3D3CBR=3D3E=3D26gt=3D3B Suite no7 = =3D26amp=3D3B=3D no =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B 8=3D2E=3D3CBR=3D3E=3D26gt=3D3B=26nb= sp=3B=26nbsp=3B =3D3CBR=3D3E=3D26gt=3D3B I wanted to =3CBR=3E=26gt=3B or= der the lot but =3D her indoors
[LUTE] Re: Wickhambrook Manuscript Facsimile
I received my copy last week and am delighted with it - there is a much clearer contrast between the tablature and the paper than is the case with most facsimiles that I have come across: no problem at all to play from. The introductory essay by Ian Harwood is as informative and interesting as one has come to expect from this man. For me, it's worth the price just to see the only source of 'Tarleton's Resurrection' - such a lovely little piece, and the first 'real' piece of lute repertoire I made any serious attempt at playing over 30 years ago - squeezed in at the bottom of a page, as if simply to fill a small space. There are, of course, many more rewards to be had from this book. My sincere thanks to all involved in its production. Alan - Original Message - From: Denys Stephens [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: lute@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 11:21 AM Subject: [LUTE] Wickhambrook Manuscript Facsimile Dear All, For the information of those who have enquired previously about the facsimile of the Wickhambrook Manuscript, I am very pleased to say that this has now been published and can be ordered from the Lute Society - details below. Forgive me for posting what might appear to be a commercial - I would like to assure everyone that in keeping with the Society's charity status all proceeds from the sale of publications fund the cost of printing them and/or support the work of promoting the lute and its music. Those who edit and produce the editions give their time freely and receive no payment for it. Best wishes, Denys Denys Stephens General Editor of Music Editions, The Lute Society blocked::http://www.lutesoc.co.uk/publications.htm http://www.lutesoc.co.uk/publications.htm The `Wickhambrook' Lute Manuscript is no. 6 in our series of lute book facsimiles. It is a large folio-sized manuscript compiled in the 1590s, perhaps to collect and preserve lute music by John Johnson, who died in 1594, and whose works predominate in this source. It contains what seems to be an autograph of his son, Robert Johnson. It contains 24 pieces, all for 6-course lutes, including two duets; 11 by John Johnson, 4 by Dowland (this is the unique source of `Tarleton's Resurrection'), 2 by Philip van Wilder, one each by Holborne, Peter Philips, and Lassus, and 5 by anon. The original hands are beautifully clear and easy to play from. An extremely detailed introductory study by Ian Harwood considers the manuscript's provenance and known history, with exhaustive lists of concordances and cognates from John H. Robinson. Price: Members Pounds 13 Non-members Pounds 20, plus postage. Buy online or send a check payable to the Lute Society in Pounds, US dollars or Euros if you experience any problems with the online system. -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.5/1399 - Release Date: 26/04/2008 14:17 -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 2032 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len
[LUTE] Re: new piece of the month
Thanks you, Martin: beautiful. With tablature and performances like this, would you consider remaining in the 16th century for a good few more years, please? Alan - Original Message - From: Martin Shepherd [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Lute Net lute@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:00 PM Subject: [LUTE] new piece of the month Dear All, In the nick of time, before April turns into May, there is a new piece of the month: www.luteshop.co.uk/month/pieceofthemonth.htm Do let me know what you think - sending parcels off into cyberspace sometimes feels like Mr Sting's message in a bottle Best wishes, Martin P.S. I hope to make it into the 17th C next time. To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.5/1399 - Release Date: 26/04/2008 14:17 -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 2032 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len
[LUTE] Re: new website
Many thanks for this cornucopia, Rob. I'm sorry that you have given up the vihuela, but a chap's only got so many hands, so much time so much space, I suppose - and these instruments aren't cheap! The stuff on Renaissance lute sounds lovely - any chance of the CD being re-issued (on Magnatune, for example, if Greysteil no longer exists)? Best Alan - Original Message - From: Rob MacKillop [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Lute List lute@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 1:26 PM Subject: [LUTE] new website I've decided to put all my mp3 sound files on a dedicated website called Song Of The Rose (www.songoftherose.co.uk). I have no interest anymore in making CDs, so all my future solo files will be placed here. It currently includes Renaissance lute pieces from my Graysteil CD, which is no longer available, and Bach's 2nd suite for cello on 11c. Much more to follow in due course. Cheers, Rob MacKillop -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.4/1394 - Release Date: 23/04/2008 19:16 -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 2030 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len
[BAROQUE-LUTE] Exercises for aging fingers
I am very grateful to all who have responded with so much helpful advice. Gentle exercise of some sort is certainly necessary for my index fingers, which seem to have lost a lot of strength and are really slow and clumsy; Anthony Hind's advice here sounds extremely useful. Rob's warning, however, about over-strengening is taken; his tip concerning minimal pressure is very helpful - I've just got back home and had an initial go at it on my viola da mano... He's right: I've been working too hard! Ed Martin's endorsement demands respect too: another admirable musician. I am also intending to look closely at the thoughtful advice from Ed Durbrow - I also intend, in July (birthday!), to get a recording device (I've been very interested in comments on one of these groups' pages about the relative merits of different inexpensive recording devices, the Zoom H2, for example). Just as I am coming to an end here, I see I've received advice from David Rastall which promises to take me into other fruitful areas. I have made a point of mentioning by name everyone whose advice I have received because I suspect I haven't received all correspondence on this subject. Apologies to those not mentioned, therefore - I simply didn't receive your message, so please don't think me rude. When I read through my initial request for help in this matter before sending it off, I realised that it was rather ambiguous: my intended request was for advice on musical exercises (simple little preludes and suchlike). I decided not to change the wording, however, as it occurred to me that there might well be other advice of use that I might receive - and I have certainly not been disappointed. My sincere thanks to you all - and now... I must return to my viola da mano and start learning to tread lightly! Alan -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 1682 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: true amateurs
..while I - a father of daughters aged 34 and 32, and a granddaughter of 5 weeks - found it very moving. I felt a sweet sort of envy. I thank you both! Alan - Original Message - From: Rob MacKillop [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mathias Rösel [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Lutelist lute@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:15 PM Subject: [LUTE] Re: true amateurs Being the father of an 11-year old girl myself, that was truly inspirational. Thanks. We both enjoyed it. Rob and Rhona On 26/02/2008, Mathias R=F6sel [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: May I, responding to Rob's demand, introduce another amateurs' recording of two Dowland songs: http://www.esnips.com/doc/c81f0143-6dc3-42b3-b9e8-58af1f0eb24b/Hamburg-Rebekka-II-08 The singer is my 9yrs old daughter, the lute player is me. The event was the final concert of the Hamburg players' meeting on Sun Feb 24th. -- Mathias To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html -- -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.9/1294 - Release Date: 22/02/2008 18:39 -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 1686 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len
[BAROQUE-LUTE] Re: Rank Amateur Recording # 3 Newish direction
I was very interested in the central body of Anthony's contribution - my experience is exactly the same. I first took up the lute in 1978 and gave it up, to all intents and purposes, in 1982 because my professional duties increased to the point where I simply could not find the time to practise so found that the quality of my playing was rapidly deteriorating. Six years ago, with a little more time on my hands, I dug out my old Harwood Isaacs built-from-kit lute and started again. That summer I ordered a 6-course renaissance lute with which I was, and remain, delighted. However, there are still pieces which I can recall playing with reasonable competence and dexterity nearly 30 years ago which are now beyond me. In some cases, it's simply a matter of stiffer joints lacking the necessary nimbleness; but I think that there is something else: perhaps the muscle-memory is less efficient in a 60 year-old than one half his age. 'Lute News' ran a competition a few issues back inviting readers/members to submit their preferred warm-up exercises. I looked forward to the next issue, hoping for some useful advice. Unfortunately, there was not a single entry! So... might I ask if anyone out there can suggest good ways of spending the first half hour or so of practice time so that, like Anthony, I don't have to spend all my precious playing time trying prevent my playing deteriorating once again, but might actually see some progress. I should confess, I do not have a lute of above 7 courses, so perhaps should not be troubling this list - my apologies if this is a breech of etiquette Alan - Original Message - From: Anthony Hind [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Martin Shepherd [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Stuart Walsh [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Stephen Arndt [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: baroque-lute@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 10:55 AM Subject: [LUTE] Re: Rank Amateur Recording # 3 Dear Stephen and Martin Thank you Stephen for sharing this with us. As I am about to begin attempting to approach this music myself (I have always loved this repertoire since I heard the Anthony Bailes LP, in the 70s). I can assure you I would be so pleased to reach this level of musicality in just one year; and also to be able to master stress in front of the microphone, as well as you have done, here. Since semi retirement, I have been up-hill struggling to master the Renaissance lute. Progress seemed fairly quick at first when I took up the lute again, but I swiftly hit a plateau, and not at a high enough level, I feel. I regularly, go to listen to other amateurs and professionals, once a month; and I have rarely heard a player succeed in playing a complete piece without fluffing a note. Most tell us that they were playing far better a few hours before, at home in their kitchen, or whatever. Stress in public (even in front of a teacher) and before the microphone is clearly deadly, and very hard to overcome. Furthermore, I notice that I have to play around an hour and a half, before I reach the level I seemed to be at the day before. Even most advanced players tell me that this warm-up period is crucial with the lute. It does not just effect the ability to play the notes, but also the actual sound quality. You can have played a piece acceptably one day, and pick up your lute later in front of someone, and be almost incapable of playing it. Martin, could the HD2 have some inner programme that raises sensitivity or narrows the focus of the microphone (from more or less omni to unidirectional) in relation to its perception of the source (independently from your control), in order to somehow equalize the sound level of the recording? Such a programme could explain this effect (I seemed to get more finger (thumb) noise at larger distances). Best wishes Anthony Le 21 févr. 08 à 10:18, Martin Shepherd a écrit : Dear Stephen, Thanks for sharing this with us - lovely music, a nice-sounding lute and played with great feeling, what more could we want? Except more of the same... I share your (and Stuart's) frustrations with this music - it is so full of detail, and I find the Allemandes the most difficult of all. I'm amazed you've only been playing this lute a year: I know from my own experience that just because it's a lute and the music is in nice friendly French tab you think it's going to be easy, but it takes a long time to become really familiar with the tuning and its associated chord shapes, quite apart from all the other details you have to contend with. Though the nice thing about the Barbe MS is the thoroughness with which everything is indicated: RH and LH fingering, ornaments, arpeggiation, it's all there. By the way, I couldn't find this particular piece - I have the facsimile which only has (modern) page numbers, and page 66 clearly isn't the right page. On the recording side, it sounds good but I think with the equipment you have it might be possible
[LUTE] Re: historical lute stringings
For what it's worth... Perhaps the difference is that we lutenists daren't take our eyes off the tablature, and so we have to find our way about the neck of our instrument by touch, not sight. Having said that, I think I might just stick something close tothe 7th fret... Alan - Original Message - From: Daniel Winheld [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: lute@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2007 6:15 PM Subject: [LUTE] Re: historical lute stringings I think Mimmo Peruffo may not reply because he may not want to appear to be advertising his wares on this list. It is a difficult situation for string makers and lute makers whenever they communicate, it could be considered that indirectly they are trying to sell their wares. Couple of thoughts- I'm sure that Mimmo, our most advanced, dedicated commercial stringmaker, wouldn't merely be sharing his latest conclusions and historical/scientific research results just for the hell of it- something's got to be up; and he knows how badly some of us want the next inevitable step to fall (waiting patiently for the other shoe to drop?) in regard to the loaded gut bass strings. They were so close! -But as pointed out, too many problems and headaches involved. I still have a pair of perfectly matched, in tune, loaded guts for the only satisfactory unison pairing of this string type I've encountered for the 6th course of my 7 course Andreas Holst lute. At the 2005 LSA event in Cleveland Cathy Liddell was still wearing a very carefully maintained set of loaded gut bass fundamentals 6 - 11 on her Baroque lute. Come on, Mimmo! You've got our attention, big time- unload the loaded guts on us- please! Dan P.S.- How many of us have had success- long term, that is, playing cleanly and maintaining in tune the doubled first course, any string material or on any instrument? -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.486 / Virus Database: 269.15.17/1103 - Release Date: 01/11/2007 06:01 -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 1056 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len
