Joachim Held - Italian Lute Music

Towards the end of the 16th century a musical development was in full swing, a development which moved away from strict contrapuntal textures to one dominated by a melody accompanied by a supporting bass. It was in this context that two new lutes were developed by elongating the neck of the instrument so that a second peg box allowed an extended bass register - these instruments were call the arciliuto, and the chitarrone. For this recital, master lutanist Joachim Held has provided a selection of the colorful - and often highly virtuosic music - composed for these "super lutes", including a selection of pieces composed by the brother of Galileo Galilei, Michelagnolo Galilei