Greenwich Early Music Festival 2007

2007-11-16T09:34:00.000-08:00

Another year at the festival but this time I had the new Chitarrone I have been working on in between orders here it is below

The Student Chitarrone has been created for existing lute players who want to get into continuo. I was able to play Kapsbergers famous arpegiatta even though my fingers are not that long. It was then very rewarding to hear Lynda Sayce play Piccinini and Kapsberger fluently on it and loved the sound.

The instrument has been made with 17 ribs of rosewood instead of the 51 on the original which helps cut down construction time and the cost. The fingerboard is made without the usual points and the upperneck is stained rather than veneered. The rose is the original rather than a simplified one and the soundboard has a protective ebony edging. I also know when it's in it's case you can fit on the DLR and tube trains! For those interested in the sound you can hear my attempt at the arpegiatta on the website record for this instrument in the CHITARRONI section. It's a reasonable price for an instrument of this size and work but the idea is to make a quality theorbo that more people can afford thus creating a new desire to own one previously unavailable

It was also nice to see so many people intranced by the instrument alone so I explained to about the origin of the Chitarrone, but to new member's of the lute society (which has increased I am pleased to hear) were more interested in the student g' lute understandably! It was the last one I had and sold at the exhibition so I am currently making more stock, hopefully in time for Christmas!

Review of Stings Lute CD

2006-10-12T04:23:00.000-07:00

When you first listen to the carefully selected pieces the voice seems out of place with the instrument (mostly archlute)but you become used to it. Its probably because I have become used to the sytle of early music performers. However this contrast made me listen to the words of the songs more than on other recordings by early music groups. After listening to the CD a few times I have grown to appreciate what it does, because of the contrast and Sting injecting his style to the singing it helped me imagine the emotion of John Dowland when he wrote the songs. You begin to understand why certain words were used and phrased through Stings style. Even though some songs do have a distracting simulated renaissance choir voice in the background you can appreciate his style. This is aninteresting change to other CD's of Dowlands lute songs because the supporting lute does not distract your attention from the voice.

The lute music is played mostly on Archlutes, which didn't exist in England at the time John Dowland was composing, which is not acurrate but then again this CD is not trying to fit in with the rest. This is what I have grown to like about it because it gives that fresh aproach to lute music which most early music performers won't be able to do since they have not come from a rock or pop background. The use of Archlutes for music that was intended for 7-9 course lute has allowed for some creative editing by Edin Karamazov and Sting. Some peices sound better with the bass played an octave lower. One particular piece 'Have you seen the bright Lily grow' is my favorite from the CD because the sound of the Archlute provides a very calming background, almost remenicent of Enya's style.

The CD is punctuated by the personal letters of John Dowland which Sting reads in a very captivating way, no doubt he brings the benefit of his acting career to entrance us. The words are spoken softly and draw you further into the mind of John Dowland which allow you to appreciate the meaning of the songs. Some of the songs are followed by solo lute pieces which are skilfully played by Edin Karamazov. I can tell that he likes the Baroque lute since the ornaments are different from the renaissance in some pieces. However this does seem to enhance the pieces. On the whole its a CD that is different from any other lute CD I have heard and is a welcome change of performing this period of music. It does not deserve the prejudice I have come across in some reviews but its not surprising it would cause a stirr in the Lute world as well as the Rock world. This is not just some celebrity doing something to be different there has been a creative collaboration from experts in Rock and Baroque. Open your mind a bit and enjoy what happens.

Lute Lovers

Greenwich Early Music Festival 2007

Review of Stings Lute CD