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

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