Mésangeau was born in Paris in the last quarter of the sixteenth century. During his time in Germany (presumably pre-1617) it is likely he met Besard, who included a courante by Mésangeau in his Novus Partus published in 1617. Returning to Paris he gained a position in the service of Louis XIII with the title écuyer sui ordinarement la cour. His deliberately new style must have made a striking impression. By 1621 he had been elevated to the position of musicien ordinaire du Roi. At some point during this period of success Mésangeau married Marguerite Jacquet, the daughter of the famous spinet maker Jean Jacquet.

Mésangeau's popularity was summarised at his death by his pupil Ennemond Gaultier who composed the first known tombeau in his honour (Le tombeau de Mézangeau, 1638).

Played on a 10 course lute made by James Marriage after Hans Frei.
Recorded in All Saints Church, North Street, York, June 2014.
Recorded by Joseph Chesshyre and produced by Joseph Chesshyre and Alex McCartney.

1. Prelude from Suite in Bb (Rene Mesangeau)
2. Allemande I from Suite in Bb (Rene Mesangeau)
3. Allemande II from Suite in Bb (Rene Mesangeau)
4. Allemande III from Suite in Bb (Rene Mesangeau)
5. Courante from Suite in Bb (Rene Mesangeau)
6. Sarabande from Suite in Bb (Rene Mesangeau)
7. Prelude from Suite in F (Rene Mesangeau)
8. Allemande I from Suite in F (Rene Mesangeau)
9. Allemande II from Suite in F (Rene Mesangeau)
10. Courante I from Suite in F (Rene Mesangeau)
11. Courante II from Suite in F (Rene Mesangeau)
12. Courante III from Suite in F (Rene Mesangeau)
13. Sarabande from Suite in F (Rene Mesangeau)
14. Chaconne from Suite in F (Rene Mesangeau)
15. Prelude from Suite in C (Rene Mesangeau)
16. Allemande from Suite in C (Rene Mesangeau)
17. Courante I from Suite in C (Rene Mesangeau)
18. Courante II from Suite in C (Rene Mesangeau)
19. Sarabande I from Suite in C (Rene Mesangeau)
20. Sarabande II from Suite in C (Rene Mesangeau)

Listen to: the entire album.

Release date: 03/03/2016
Alex McCartney lives in York England

Tagged as: Classical, Renaissance, Baroque, Instrumental, Composer: Rene Mesangeau, Lute

1. Michelagnolo Galilei by Paul Beier: solo lute of the Italian renaissance.
2. Soyes Loyal by Asteria: late-medieval vocal and instrumental music
3. The Melodious Birde - Keyboard Music By William Byrd by Colin Booth: solo harpsichord music
4. JS Bach Goldberg Variations by Colin Booth: solo harpsichord music
5. Adam Falckenhagen and Sylvius Leopold Weiss, Opere Per Liuto by Paul Beier: solo lute of the Italian renaissance.
6. SL Weiss on 11 Strings by Paul Berget: renaissance lute, modernized.
7. For the Love of Jaqueline by Asteria: late-medieval vocal and instrumental music
8. Les Larmes of Johannes Fresneau by Edward Martin: vihuela, renaissance and baroque lute
9. The Siena Manuscript on renaissance lute by Paul Berget: renaissance lute, modernized.
10. Canconier by Canconier: Medieval music from the 12th to the 15th centuries
11. Pastourelle by Fortune's Wheel: a spirited rediscovery of the riches of medieval musical traditions
12. Goldberg Variations (JS Bach) by Andreas Almqvist: elegant classical guitar
13. Litha by Skarazula: medieval European, Turkish and Arabic music
14. Colors of Spain Volume 2 by Daniel Estrem: colorful classical guitar
15. Orpheus by Federico Moscogiuri: Original and evocative lute music
16. Allemande by Edward Martin: vihuela, renaissance and baroque lute
17. The Siena Manuscript on steel string guitar by Paul Berget: renaissance lute, modernized.
18. Mozart 4 Quartets for Strings and Winds by American Baroque: Spectacular Baroque and Classical chamber music
19. Arpeggi by Federico Moscogiuri: Original and evocative lute music
20. Les Plaintes de Psyche by Mauricio Buraglia: a marvelous classical spiral of lute sounds

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