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Christ ist Erstanden
This is from a German chorale intabulated for the lute by Hans Judenkönig circa 1515. It's a very simple melody with very sparse harmonic accompaniment. Not difficult to play, but very beautiful.
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Eric Phillips That was beautiful, Eric! Lute music sounds noble and poetic to me, and you really brought out the character of the music.
(waiting for a real Bach lute suite...
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Wai Thanks, Wai. And I’d you waiting for a talk Bach lute suite, you’re gonna be waiting for a very long time.
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Eric Phillips That was beautiful, Eric. I forgot how much I like Renaisance music. I played in a Renaissance consort in college (on guitar).
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Jack Stewart Thanks, Jack. When I was in college, the Renaissance was definitely my favorite period to play. My Noad “Renaissance Guitar” book was so worn it practically disintegrated until my wife decided to put it out of its misery and throw it away (much to my dismay). The lute is making me fall in love with the music once again.
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Eric Phillips My Noad Renaissance Guitar book is certainly well worn from those days though it is still intact.
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Eric Phillips very beautiful. So good to start this. The sound of your lute is very nice. This piece is a bit melancholic, in spite of the positive message. It’s still very medieval.
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joosje Thank you, Joosje. It seems medieval society had a very different sensibility about things than we have. I read the words of the original German chorale, and they are somewhat introspective, as though the person is searching for the meaning of the event.
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Hans Neusidler - Four Preambles
Surfing through some lute websites, I came across several pieces by Hans Neusidler that are beautiful and not too difficult for me to play. These four pieces are labeled as preambles, which I suppose makes them like preludes.
Neusidler (1508-1563) was born in Pressburg (in modern-day Slovakia), but spent most of his life in Nuremberg, Germany. He was a lute teacher and published eight books of lute music. (The opening image in the video comes from one of his books.) He was also a lute maker, and two of his sons (Melchior and Konrad) went on to become lutenists as well.
These preambles have a laconic and meditative character. Some of the harmonies and cadences seem unusual to my ears, conditioned by music of later periods. This is part of the appeal of this music for me.
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Eric Phillips These are pretty nice, Eric, and I do like the meditative quality and modal harmonies. However, I start to glaze over towards the 3rd and 4th pieces. They are so similar in mood, tempo, harmonic movement and character that I lose my focus. I keep thinking, Come on Dude, step it up1 Maybe if he added an occasional boogie bass line or searing solo it would provide a nice contrast.
Actually he does have a piece titled Judentanz that is more energetic and actually quite odd harmonically.
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Jack Stewart Yes, I probably should not have put four pieces like that all back to back. Most people would glaze over after ten seconds, so you did well. Neusidler has quite a few faster pace pieces, I’m just not able to play them.
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Eric Phillips I could listen to all 4 (twice) without losing focus, mate, but I couldn't help to start thinking you were a high-level bard in D&D games.
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Wai Close. I’m actually a very low level bard.
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Francesco da Milano - Fantasia 32
This one has some really nice imitative polyphony, and it's not too difficult to play.
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Eric Phillips That was beautiful, Eric. I really like Renaisance polyphony and modal harmonies. Your lute playing is very good.
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Jack Stewart Thanks, Jack!
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Eric Phillips I also like Renaissance music and I agree with Jack, Lute matches your style of playing and you play it very well. I have heard that lute players in the past have a particular picking method, do you know how to do that?
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Wai Thanks, Wai. I am really playing the lute in an "incorrect" way. I am using guitar RH technique completely. Here is a video that shows the proper way of plucking a Renaissance lute. I've tried it, but I just can't get the hang of it. Maybe a need a teacher, or maybe I just need more patience. I am also playing with nails, though I have shortened them to make it easier. I haven't worked up the courage to cut them off, especially as I don't want to give up the guitar.
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Eric Phillips Hi Eric, have you seen this video before? looks like a great introduction to the lute and this guy plays it very well.
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Wai Thanks, Wai, I have seen it it, and I watch Brandon's videos quite a bit. I haven't watched this one in a few months, so maybe I'll check it out again.
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Francesco da Milano - Fantasia 41
Another short and sweet one by Il Divino. I particularly enjoy the bass lines in this.
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Eric Phillips Short and sweet it is. You have inspired me to go thru my collection of music in. search of da Milano pieces, though I won't be working on them yet.
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Eric Phillips so nice. Played so elegantly on the lute. Great listening. Thank you
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joosje Thank you, Joosje!
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Two Pieces by Hans Judenkönig
These come from a self-instruction manual published by Judenkönig around 1515. I have already recorded the second piece, but it makes a nice pairing with the first one here, so I put them together. The first piece is called Madonna Katerina, and the second is Christ Ist Erstanden.
I also decided to try playing while standing, since my lute has a strap.
End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
