The Lute Society: Home Page

Issue 144 of Lute News is now out - see its colour front cover. See a gallery of previous front covers on the publications page, under Lute News back issues.

Extant Lutes Database - a new interactive online database of historic lutes that have survived into modern times. Based on data collated over decades by David Van Edwards, Klaus Martius, Friedemann Hellwig, Ernst Pohlmann and others, with many photos and details about these remarkable historical survivors. See help page and summary or go to the database.

Next meeting: Saturday 11th February at the Dutch Church in the City of London. Our first meeting of 2023 will be a varied and thoroughly international affair, with guest artists and speakers from Italy and Switzerland. Michał Gondko will give a talk and concert on Polish lute music, Massimo Marchese and Ugo Nastrucci will play vihuela duets and talk about their intabulations and recording, and Peter Croton will present his new tutor book on the baroque lute. We also look forward to a presentation on the art of playing without frets, and a modernist work by Kevin Allen, which won a composition contest some years ago. See meetings for more details.

Gaspar Sanz - A new translation by Monica Hall of Sanz instructions on accompanying a bass line on baroque guitar - ‘Instrucción de música sobre la guitarra española y método de sus primeros rudimentos hasta tañerla con destreza’. See baroque guitar for further details.

Beginners lesson - 47 - Starting continuo, by Lynda Sayce

Bach Solo Lute Discography - A discography listing all solo music by JS Bach recorded on instruments of the lute family, currently covering over 130 recordings. Collated by John Reeve. See Bach Solo Lute Discography

Updated Lute Society Music index - search through the tabulature supplements by composer

Lute Iconography Database (Lute IDB) There is a new release of this rich and detailed resource of lute iconography images collated and curated by David Van Edwards. Newly updated with better search and usability features: help page and summary or go to the database.

Sonatas for extended neck baroque guitar, by Ludovico Fontanelli edited by Peter Elliot - see free downloads

Tree Editions now available as free downloads on this website - an amazing free lute library, bequeathed by Albert Reyerman. Also added to the main menu for the website - see Tree Edition Files.

Recent updates to our members compositions page. In Autumn, by David Protheroe: three duets for equal lutes; British and Irish songs arranged by Andrew Haxell; Fantasia after Mudarra, Blancrocher XXI by Michel Amoric; Tombeau for Stephen Barber by David van Ooijen; La Rivercada by Joaquim Bogunyà Chesa; Songs in Divers Humours, for medium voice and lute (tablature), by David Protheroe.

Play along with professional musicians Our lute backing tracks page has a number of songs and duets, where you provide the missing lute part, to accompany renowned musicians such as Emma Kirkby and Dowland Works performing Golden Age songs, and duets with Lynda Sayce. Download the sheet music on the same page.

Looking for a lute player, accompanist, duet partner, or beginner's 'buddy'? We can help you find a lute player in your area, or for your special event (wedding, banquet, advert etc). We are also starting up a lute buddying scheme to put new players in touch with lute buddies in their area.

For previous news items, see Old news

Recent pages on this website

• Lute Iconography Database - over 2200 images of lutes catalogued in a searchable online database.
• Back issues of Lute News now available for purchase online. Now you can fill in any missing copies in your collection.
• New pieces on our members' compositions pages - recent updates by David Protheroe, Steven Watson, Laudon Schuett and others.

New Music Editions

See our catalogue for details and to purchase online:

• 158 early Cinquecento preludes and recercars - a bumper collection of early Italian lute music, all standards, beginner to advanced
• Compendium of 178 Polish dances - another bumper edition!
• Fun merchandise! Lute-playing mouse paperweight

Contact the secretary

The Secretary, Christopher Goodwin
3 Dolcey Way,
Sharnbrook,
Bedfordshire, MK44 1LE
United Kingdom
Tel: (+44/0)1483 202159 / (++44/0)7510 254106

or if your email bounces back from this, try

Donations

The Lute Society’s finances are ticking over nicely with the present membership fees and it is breaking even in a safe and steady manner. But we would like to be able to fund occasional additional activities without having to raise the general membership fees to a level which would put off some from joining. If you feel able to help in this way, it will be greatly appreciated.

There will be an opportunity for UK tax payers to gift aid their donation after they click the donate button.

General Fund Donation
Donating with this button will enable you to add an amount of your choice to our general fund.

Student Bursary Fund Donation
Donating with this button will enable you to add an amount of your choice to our Student Bursary Fund which will enable us to fund deserving students for places on short term music courses such as Benslow.