Lute music in Germany is closely associated with the name Silvius Leopold Weiss who influenced generations of lutenists with his outstanding compositions and was the cornerstone of German lute music. As his oeuvre has already enjoyed a wide distribution and substantial appreciation, this anthology only touches on a few individual works as reference points and places a greater focus on Weiss’s musical environment and legacy.

A particular focus is given to Bayreuth which developed into a regional cultural centre for the lute, thanks to the encouragement of the Margravine Wilhelmine, the sister of Frederick the Great. She was an excellent lutenist and her encounter with Weiss at the age of nine clearly sparked off her enthusiasm for this instrument. Alongside the repertoire of the court in Bayreuth, this anthology also focuses on the circle of Saxon-Silesian composers associated with Johann Sebastian Bach in Leipzig and works originating from the last generation of German lutenists during the second half of the 18th century.

These aspects are, however, only secondary to the prime aim of compiling a balanced sequence of music for the four CDs which will not only provide musical and historical enlightenment, but also great pleasure while listening to this exceptional lute music.

Rec-date:2005-2008 (CD 1-3 formerly available from Symphonia, CD 4 new release).