The great French lutenists were above all formidable soloists, but often the solo music they wrote was accompanied in manuscript sources by a complementary part (the "counterpart") written for a second lute that would add harmony and resonance, and sometimes even extend thematic material, of the solo piece. While the solo piece could always stand alone, the addition of a second lute gives a result that is something rather more than the sum of its parts: sumptuous texture, synergistic sound, and greater compositional robustness, all of which is rare to hear in the modern concert hall.

Martin and Walker felt that the repertoire needed some longer, more involved pieces in addition to the characteristic small dance form prevalent in the repertoire. Seeking to discover a larger scale chaconne for duo turned fruitless, so Gamut Music commissioned Minnesota composer Tyler Kaiser to compose two counterparties; one for the G major Chaconne, the other for the A major Chaconne (Sarabande). He did so in a convincing manner, enhancing each respective piece without changing the character, and keeping in the style of each work.

Finally, a short note about the instruments used for this recording. In order to maximize the balance that is necessary for this remarkably delicate repertoire, the artists are playing an identical matching set of eleven-course French lutes that were specifically made for the recording by the gifted luthier Daniel Larson. The lutes are strung entirely with pure gut strings that were made by Gamut Music, and the nuance, warmth and depth of sound is immediately apparent to the discerning audiophile.

1. Chaconne In G Major (Charles Mouton)
2. I Courante L'Admirable from Pieces In A Minor (Pierre Dubut)
3. II Courante from Pieces In A Minor (Pierre Dubut)
4. III Sarabande La Royale from Pieces In A Minor (Pierre Dubut)
5. IV Canaries Ou Gigue Du Roy from Pieces In A Minor (Pierre Dubut)
6. I Allemande from Suite In C Minor (Francois Dufault)
7. II Courante from Suite In C Minor (Francois Dufault)
8. III Sarabande from Suite In C Minor (Francois Dufault)
9. IV Gigue from Suite In C Minor (Francois Dufault)
10. IV Menuet from Suite In C Minor (Francois Dufault)
11. Courante L'Imortelle from Pieces In D Minor And A Minor (Ennemond Vieux Gaultier)
12. Courante from Pieces In D Minor And A Minor (Denis Gaultier)
13. L'Adieu Courante from Pieces In D Minor And A Minor (Ennemond Vieux Gaultier)
14. Sarabande from Pieces In D Minor And A Minor (Denis Gaultier)
15. Allemande (Tombeau de L'Enclos) from Pieces In D Minor And A Minor (Ennemond Vieux Gaultier)
16. Canaries from Pieces In D Minor And A Minor (Ennemond Vieux Gaultier)
17. Chaconne (Sarabande) in A Minor (Ennemond Vieux Gaultier)

Listen to: the entire album.

Release date: 02/17/2015
Edward Martin and Thomas Walker lives in Minnesota USA

Tagged as: Classical, Renaissance, Instrumental, Composer: Charles Mouton, Composer: Denis Gaultier, Composer: Ennemond Vieux Gaultier, Composer: Francois Dufault, Composer: Pierre Dubut, Lute

1. Stile Moderno, Stile Antico by Thomas Walker: Lute music of 17th century France and Italy
2. Baroque Lute Duets by Edward Martin and Paul Berget: vihuela, renaissance and baroque lute
3. Elizabeth's Lutes by Alex McCartney: Reflective, historically-informed performance on the lute
4. Versailles et Dresde les Cours du Roi Luth by Mauricio Buraglia: a marvelous classical spiral of lute sounds
5. Mesangeau's Experiments by Alex McCartney: Reflective, historically-informed performance on the lute
6. Weiss Undercover by Daniel Shoskes: A feast of Baroque lute
7. La Superbe by Thomas Walker: Lute music of 17th century France and Italy
8. Lautenschmaus by Daniel Shoskes: A feast of Baroque lute
9. Deux Grands Maitres de l'Ecriture pour le Luth Baroque et le Theorbe by Mauricio Buraglia: a marvelous classical spiral of lute sounds
10. Luis Milan - El Maestro by Edward Martin: vihuela, renaissance and baroque lute
11. Barbara Strozzi - Diporti di Euterpe by Paul Beier: solo lute of the Italian renaissance.
12. Allemande by Edward Martin: vihuela, renaissance and baroque lute
13. Simone Molinaro by Paul Beier: solo lute of the Italian renaissance.
14. Black Cow by Jacob Heringman: renaissance lute
15. Division-Musick by Pellingmans' Saraband: viol and lute duo
16. A Spagna in the Works by Alison Crum and Roy Marks: Ethereal, enigmatic and exhilarating renaissance miniature masterpieces for viol and lute
17. Blame Not My Lute by Jacob Heringman: renaissance lute
18. Confluentes by Ralph Rousseau Meulenbroeks: virtuoso viola da gamba
19. Ancient Mosaic with Guitar by La Reverie: Recreating traditional music from a modern perspective

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