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Amazing Lute Music For The Joy Of Man

Marco Antônio Gonçalves Sanches | 07/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"O'Dette's interpretation of Da Milano, Da L'Aquila, Borrono and Da Ripa lute works is amazing, graceful and rich in textures that can be achieved only by the striking talent of those composers and by himself as the world's most recognized lutenist. Such a wonderful set of pieces for lute is a gift for our troubled hearts, bringing us the virtuosity and delicacy of the true Renaissance Lute Music. I strongly recommend it for people who really loves music, 'cause it's a very well crafted work which combines a highest degree of technique allied with the deepest aesthetic sense of art it deserves. The pieces are quite like musical paintings, each chord carefully shadowed, each detail worked to its essence and truth, and the artist's personality present in every note. O'Dette really deserves the acclamation and respect he has, and I am proud of knowing his works. I say that you should listen to his music in a wide room, turn off the lights, light an stick of opium incense and take a cup of tea. Enjoy it !"

Paul O'Dette is a likable genius.

Mark Borchers | The Woodlands, TX USA | 11/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having attended high school with Paul, I can remember when he stopped spending all his time on electric guitar and started concentrating on the lute. I'm not sure about this, but I think it had something to do with the fact that the school needed musicians to stroll around playing period music during the English department's Elizabethan festival.At any rate, Paul got ever deeper into the lute, and now a couple of decades later, it seems that he has done more to popularize early music of the genre than perhaps any other musician. By looking at his discography alone, it is evident that he is not only a performer but a scholar of the musical literature of the period throughout Europe.His virtuosity has been lavishly documented by reviewers far more knowledgable than me. Nevertheless, it does not take an expert to recognize the delicacy and artistry with which Paul plays. His touch lends liveliness and beauty to a category of music which many modern listeners might otherwise find antiquated and quaint. This disc contains selections which are in turn soothing and sublime, sprightly and animated.If you stumbled across this CD by accident on the Amazon site, I hope that this review will convince you to add it to your collection."

Charming!

eido | 09/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How could you not like Paul O'Dette? Not only is he one of the best lutenists of our day, but he is also a charming and witty person. If you are looking for an introduction to instrumental music of the early Italian renaissance, this disk is perfect. The variety of music, from the fantasias to the various dance forms, provides a wonderful sampling of the various styles with which the Renaissance composers worked. Paul O'Dette's elaborate liner notes to the disk are clear, accessible, and detailed enough to give a good background on the repertoire he performs. I highly recommend this disk."