Search - Paul O'Dette :: Lord Herbert of Cherbury's Lute Book

Truly stunning

FrKurt Messick | Bloomington, IN USA | 10/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"According to Paul O'Dette, the performer on this superb album, one of the greatest sources of seventeenth century lute music is the manuscript known as 'Lord Herbert of Cherbury's Lute Book', currently housed in Cambridge, containing 242 pieces from major composers of the day - Gaultier, Despond, Bacheler, Johnson, di Roma, Cato, Hely, Polonias, Perrichon, Polonaise, and Hely. (One disappointment on this album, about the only disappointment really, is that the manuscript contains compositions of John Dowland and Anthony Holborne, none of which are included in this performance).



Lord Herbert of Cherbury was a Renaissance man - diplomat, poet, philosopher, historian, composer, musician; much is known about him from his own autobiography as well as other records of the time. He lived during one of the glory periods of English history, serving as King James I (of England)'s ambassador to France during the early 1600s, among other exciting adventures. This French connection plays an important part in the compositions in his Lute manuscript, as many of the anonymous pieces come from the French composition style, and many of the more famous composers of the time were from France.



Italians figure less prominently in the book, but are well represented. There are subtle variations in style, but a lot of cross-pollination took place, also influencing the English composers. The last great English composer for the lute was most likely Daniel Bacheler, for after his time (and despite his wonderful compositions) the popularity of the lute declined in favour of other, more modern instruments.



This particular disc was recorded in 1991 by Skywalker Sound (the LucasArts group has made great strides in recording technology to accompany their science fiction odysseys, which has in turn enhanced their abilities to record early music, too). Paul O'Dette has had a full career of recording, teaching, and live performance of the lute and other instruments, including classical guitar. These pieces are performed on ten-course lutes, one after Frei and one after Railich.



This is truly stunning.

"