Lassus: Io ti vorria contar... Transcriptions for Lute

Featuring

Cornelia Demmer
Evangelina Mascardi
Frédéric Zigante
Orlando di Lasso
Anonymous
Sixt Kargel

Melchior Neusidler
Jean-Baptiste Bésard
Vincenzo Galilei
Giovanni Antonio Terzi
John Dowland
Alfonso Ferrabosco the elder

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Instruments

The lute was the most widely owned instrument in the Renaissance, valued for its portability, polyphonic capabilities, and ability to be played solo or in ensembles.

Cultural Impact

Roland de Lassus's works were highly influential among lutenists, appearing in at least 29 printed instrumental volumes and over 40 manuscripts across Europe.

Compositional Technique

Lute tablature, which uses letters or numbers to indicate fingerings, offered a 'spartitura' or score in the modern sense, allowing the lute to combine multiple voice parts.

Cultural Impact

Lassus's spiritual chanson, Susanne un jour, was exceptionally popular, with 21 printed and 32 manuscript versions, even influencing secular dance music.

Composer Biography

Roland de Lassus, a pre-eminent figure in 16th-century polyphonic vocal music, had his biography written by Samuel Quickelberg by the time he was 34.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Roland de Lassus was characterized by his ability to master all musical styles, whether secular or sacred, serious or light-hearted.

Historical Context

During the Renaissance, vocal music predominated over instrumental music, with composers holding pride of place over strolling fiddlers and town musicians.