Welcome to The Lute Society's website
- President: David Van Edwards
- Chair: Nick Gravestock
- Secretary: Christopher Goodwin
- Registered Charity No. 1178599
News
Issue 136 of Lute News is now out, with nice Christmas surprise in the music supplement - see its colour front cover and ezine. See a gallery of previous front covers on the publications page, under Lute News back issues.
You are invited to our second virtual meeting free and open to all, to enjoy at your leisure, with a talk from Matthew Spring and a film (in fact made in 1982 but never released online) by Neil and Elspeth Morrison, and recitals from Gabriel Schebor, the groups Melismata, and Musicke in the Ayre, and (relating to Matthew Spring's talk) Matthew, with Sara Stowe and Lewis Spring. All the videos to date on our can be seen on our Youtube channel
Brian Wright's Tombeau for Julian Bream has been recorded by Bernhard Hofstoetter on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dn59qveuSY&feature=youtu.be
It will hardly come as a surprise that the Benslow Lutefest has been postponed as Benslow Music Trust has suspended residential events at least until 21st April. It may be rescheduled for the autumn, or else for Spring 2022. There is nonetheless an online lute song course on 20th-22nd February benslowmusic.org/index.asp?PageID=2993
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.
Update to our members compositions page. Songs in Divers Humours, for medium voice and lute (tablature), by David Protheroe; Thomas Haxell: Tastar de Corde; Wilfred Foxe: Raindrops in Holmfirth; Cezar Mateus: Four Pieces for Renaissance Lute; Joaquim Bogunyà Chesa: Some New Pieces for the Lute.
Beginners' lesson 41 Beginners' lesson - 41 - Drewries accordes - lute duet. Lesson by Lynda Sayce covering the video in Lute duet - video backing tracks
New addition to our free downloads page: Sweet was the sounge the Veregin sange, Anon. Arranged by Wifred Foxe. The Flute and the Lute Vol. 2 - English music from the Golden Age, arranged by Joaquim Bogunyà Chesa. Also Les Folies d'Espagne for Theorbo, by Robert de Visée (original is from Falconet MS which is not in very readable condition). Typseset by Wilfred Foxe.
The Lute in Lockdown - during our times of lockdown and social distancing, musicians are hosting online events and videos to reach their audience. We are maintaining a calendar of upcoming online events, and a set of resources for musicians and support. Feel free to send us links to online lute events, and please support musicians by buying tickets where you can. And why not improve your playing and support a professional player at the same time by treating yourself to an online lute lesson? There's a list of teachers who give lessons by Zoom or Skype at the head of our register of teachers.
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.
- Some selected recordings from meetings are now available.
- 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
Listings and services
As well as our online shop where you can purchase our publications, our website contains a number of listings of lutes for sale, makers, teachers, publishers, summer schools and other links.
Contact the secretary
The Secretary, Christopher Goodwin
Southside Cottage, Brook Hill, Albury
Guildford, England GU5 9DJ
Tel: (+44/0)1483 202159
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.
Donating with this button will enable you to add an amount of your choice to our general fund.
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.