Bach, Handel, Dowland and more…
Peter Blanchette, solo archguitar
An excellent choice for an introduction to the archguitar, this is a great recording with its smooth and lovely tone. The arrangements are of pieces from the baroque, renaissance and medieval periods. The Handel Sarabande and my variations on it have long been one of my audience’s favorites. While most musicians hate to hear that their music puts people to sleep, here, I consider it a compliment. Many listeners have said Style Brisé helps them relax and fall asleep at night.
NOTE: Style Brise is also available on CD!
Click on the song titles to hear excerpts.
| track | song | min:sec |
| 01 | Prelude | 2:46 |
| 02 | Allemande (Bach 'Cello Suite I) | 4:24 |
| 03 | Courante (Bach 'Cello Suite I) | 3:03 |
| 04 | Sarabande (Bach 'Cello Suite I) | 3:40 |
| 05 | Menuets I & II (Bach 'Cello Suite I) | 3:09 |
| 06 | Gigue (Bach 'Cello Suite I) | 2:27 |
| 07 | Sarabande (from Aylesford Pieces for Harpsichord) - George Frederic Handel | 3:42 |
| 08 | Menuet (from Aylesford Pieces for Harpsichord) - Handel | 1:29 |
| 09 | Gigue (originally for Lute) - Sylvius Leopold Weiss | 3:43 |
| 10 | Sarabande, "La Folia" and Variations - G.F. Handel / P. Blanchette | 13:49 |
| 11 | Mr. Dowland's Midnight - John Dowland | 1:30 |
| 12 | Basse danse; "La Magdalena" Recoupe-Tourdion - Pierre Attaignant | 4:54 |
| 13 | Solveig's Song - Edvard Grieg | 2:57 |
| 14 | Spagnoleta - Michael Praetorius | 2:51 |
| 15 | Two Courantes - Michael Praetorius | 3:27 |
| 16 | Kyrie (from La Messe de Nostre Dame) - Guillaume de Machaut | 2:19 |
A painting of an 18th century rat-catcher. Note the look of intense consternation while he tunes his guitar. I know how he feels; one seems to spend half the time tuning and the other half, playing out of tune.
Some things never change!
- Peter Blanchette
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