March 19

The New Lute Cafe presents...

Edward Martin, Baroque Lute

For this concert, lutenist Edward Martin is presenting a new composer as well as a new genre, Dutch Baroque Lute Music. There is a large representation of Dutch renaissance lute music; however, there hadn't been any surviving works for the 11-course baroque lute in the Netherlands up until 3 years ago. This neglect is in spite of the strong representation of lutes in paintings throughout the Lowlands in 17th Century. Thanks to Dutch scholar and historian Jan Burgers, there is a new discovery of Johannes Fresneau, a French expat who entered Leiden in 1636 where he had a career as a professional lutenist, as well as teacher and lute builder. His music is composed in the French style, but it has a distinct, although varied sound, with less emphasis on the French broken style, or style brize. His works are more melodic as compared to French lute music and the specific keys of each suite or group of pieces take on their own individual charm and characteristics. Martin has recorded the corpus of these works, and although he has performed this program in Antwerp, Brussels, and Leiden, this is the premier American performance of the works of Johannes Fresneau.

The New Lute Café is sponsored by the St. Paul Conservatory of Music.

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Thursday, 7:30 pm (doors open at 7pm)

Admission: Suggested donation: $15