The Siena Lute Book (2004)

performed by Jacob Heringman (lute), Lynda Sayce (lute)
composed by Anonymous, Anonymous, Italian, Clément Janequin, Fabrizio Dentice, Francesco Canova da Milano, Francesco Parigi, Giulio Severino, Julio Segni da Modeno, Perino Fiorentino, Pierre Sandrin, Thomas Crecquillon

The Siena Lute Book is the best manuscript source of fifteenth century Italian lute music in existence, and it is kept in the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague. Its creamy white and carefully copied pages yield more than seven score lute compositions, compiled in the last decade of the fifteenth century but belonging to a time about 40 years before. On this Avie album, lutenist Jacob Heringman puts together a winning selection of 26 of these pieces in an order that roughly corresponds to The Siena Lute Book set that he has been ... Read More

The Siena Lute Book is the best manuscript source of fifteenth century Italian lute music in existence, and it is kept in the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague. Its creamy white and carefully copied pages yield more than seven score lute compositions, compiled in the last decade of the fifteenth century but belonging to a time about 40 years before. On this Avie album, lutenist Jacob Heringman puts together a winning selection of 26 of these pieces in an order that roughly corresponds to The Siena Lute Book set that he has been touring with for some time.It should not surprise many that Francesco da Milano is well represented here -- he was the dominant Italian lutenist of that era. The other names are not so familiar, and many of the pieces are anonymous, but thankfully Heringman provides detailed and engaging notes about each piece played. Four different lutes are used in the course of this disc, and one of the most fulfilling surprises found here is a pair of spunky and melodious anonymous lute duets,... Read Less