Bianchini's "Intabolatura de Lauto" (Venice, 1546), of which this recording features the entire book, was his sole publication. Intabolatura was a great success, being reprinted in its entirety at least three times, 11 of its works even being reprinted in Nuremberg by Hans Gerle, 1552. The book itself is a perfect exemplar of the Venetian lute book of the mid-16th century, featuring intabulations of scared and secular vocal music, a selection of polyphonic recercari, and a selection of dances, including dances local to Venice, such as the 'Santo erculano'. The music itself is complex, beautiful, at times reflective, and at times flamboyant. The book presents a veritable feast of European lute music.

The music was performed on a Renaissance Lute by James Marriage (2004) after Hans Frei (c1550), strung entirely in old Aquila nylgut. The disc was recorded fairly intimately and with little editing so as to produce a fresh and candid sound, suited to the intimacy and immediacy of the music. It is the first in a series of recordings by Richard MacKenzie focusing on the repertoire of lutes and early guitars. (Produced and engineered by Richard MacKenzie. Recorded at St. Margaret's Church, Binsey).

'Highly recommended.... an excellent debut recording and makes a very good case for Bianchini's music: if you want Bianchini this is the one to have. MacKenzie plays strongly and rhythmically, and it is heartening to hear the fast embellishments and cadential passages played cleanly and in tempo, something we associate with Paul O'Dette. It has the rhythmic drive and excitement of a live recital and very good recorded sound.'
Lute News, 04/13

1. Recercar quarto (Simon Gintzler)
2. Il me suffit (Claudin de Sermisy)
3. Recercar primo (Simon Gintzler)
4. Le dur travail (Adrian Willaert)
5. Madonna io non lo so (napolitane) (Adrian Willaert)
6. Recercar sesto (Simon Gintzler)
7. Ave santissima (Nicolas Gombert)
8. La cara cossa (anon Domenico Bianchini)
9. El Burato (anon Domenico Bianchini)
10. Recercar segondo (Simon Gintzler)
11. Par ton regard (Claudin de Sermisy)
12. Pongente dardo (Jacquet de Berchem)
13. Tant que vivray (Claudin de Sermisy)
14. O s'io potessi donna (Jacquet de Berchem)
15. Recercar quinto (Simon Gintzler)
16. Con lei fuss'io (Jacques Arcadelt Jacquet de Berchem Francesco Corteccia or Giaches de Ponte)
17. Torza (anon Domenico Bianchini)
18. Lodesana (anon Domenico Bianchini)
19. Santo erculano (anon Domenico Bianchini)
20. Aupres de vous (secretement) (Sermisy or Jacotin)
21. C'est grand pitie (Pierre Certon)
22. Recercar terzo (Duo Simon Gintzler)
23. Pass'e mezo (antico) La sua padoana Il suo saltarello Le forze derculle
24. Mezza notte (anon Domenico Bianchini)

Listen to: the entire album.

Release date: 11/15/2012
Richard MacKenzie lives in London England

Tagged as: Classical, Renaissance, Instrumental, Composer: Adriano Willaert, Composer: Claudin de Sermisy, Composer: Domenico Bianchini, Composer: Jacquet de Berchem, Composer: Nicolas Gombert, Composer: Pierre Certon, Composer: Simon Gintzler, Lute

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2. Black Cow by Jacob Heringman: renaissance lute
3. Soyes Loyal by Asteria: late-medieval vocal and instrumental music
4. JS Bach on the Lute by Paul Berget: renaissance lute, modernized.
5. Hidden Sky by Jami Sieber: enchanting cello compositions
6. Medieval and Traditional Carols, Chansons and Festive Dances by In Nova Cantica: carols and chansons from the 13th - 17th Centuries for dancing, festivities and mayhem
7. Elizabeth's Lutes by Alex McCartney: Reflective, historically-informed performance on the lute
8. Rondeau Melancolique by Alex McCartney: Reflective, historically-informed performance on the lute
9. Toccata - Touched by Alex McCartney: Reflective, historically-informed performance on the lute
10. SL Weiss on 11 Strings by Paul Berget: renaissance lute, modernized.
11. Bach Cello Suites on 8 String Guitar by Daniel Estrem: colorful classical guitar
12. A Balm for Sisyphus by Luke Gartner-Brereton: music for minds
13. Mozart 4 Quartets for Strings and Winds by American Baroque: Spectacular Baroque and Classical chamber music
14. Canconier by Canconier: Medieval music from the 12th to the 15th centuries
15. A Lestampida by Dufay Collective: instrumental and vocal music from the Middle Ages and Reniassance
16. Life in Reverse by Almer and Nirvan: soulful Balkan duo featuring acoustic guitars and voice
17. The Art of the Lute Player by Jacob Heringman: renaissance lute
18. Art of the Lute in Renaissance France by Edward Martin: vihuela, renaissance and baroque lute
19. Dances and Suites of Rameau and Couperin by American Baroque: Spectacular Baroque and Classical chamber music
20. Daydream by Robin Stine: jazzy, bluesy numbers that immediately sound like comfortable standards

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