Lute instruments

The history of lute instruments is rich in cultural turning points and musical innovations. Until the 15th century, the lute was mainly used to accompany vocal pieces in the polyphonic style. Illustrations from the Middle Ages often show it alongside string instruments and harps.

The upswing in the written tradition of lute music began in the 16th century, characterized by works such as Francesco Spinacino’s “Intabulatura de Lauto” from 1507, in which, in addition to vocal and instrumental dance movements, independently composed solo pieces such as the ricercar appear for the first time. This development enabled the emancipation of instrumental music and the emergence of new forms such as the toccata, fantasia and prelude.

The Elizabethan era around 1600 brought a heyday for the lute song, particularly through composers such as John Dowland. In France, this was followed by a heyday of the air de court, in which the lute initially took on the role of instrumental accompaniment to the singing. However, this function was increasingly taken over by the theorbo in the course of the 17th century.

The influence of French lutenists dominated the European musical landscape from the 17th century onwards. Composers such as René Mézangeau, Ennemond Gaultier and François Dufault shaped the lutenistic style of broken melody, which was also adapted by the clavecinists.

Around 1700, the French style was combined with cantabile elements from Silesia, Bohemia and Austria, but only reached its peak with Silvius Leopold Weiss. He brought lute music in the Italian style to a final artistic peak. From the pre-classical period between 1720 and 1780, however, interest in the lute waned considerably.

From the 15th to the 18th century, lute music was mainly notated in tablature. Later editions show the lute as a transposing instrument by notating it an octave higher.

Despite the declining popularity of the European lute, compositions for this instrument continued to be written until recent times. Important composers and publishers of lute music between 1500 and 1754 were Pierre Attaingnant and François Campion in France, Fabritio Caroso and Cesare Negri in Italy and Alonso Mudarra and Luis de Narváez in Spain. Composers such as Henry Purcell Senior in England in the 18th century and Johann Friedrich Fasch in Germany in the 18th century.