French theorbo music
Updated 6.6.2010
/
©
Arto Wikla
3.3.2009
In the late renaissance (c. 1580-1600) and in the baroque (c. 1600-17??)
periods many different types of extended lutes were popular.
One group of these was called by names
chitarrone, tiorba, theorbo, theorboe, theorb, ....
Common to this group was a special way of tuning the two (sometimes one)
"highest" strings one octave lower compared to other groups of lutes.
This created a little "harp like" sound and sonority to these instruments.
Robert Spencer's article
Chitarrone, Theorbo and Archlute is a well written
introduction to these extended lutes.
To make me practice, I've made some videos of my theorbo
performances, which are far from perfect... ;-)
To make this page more useful, I've also included the music here.
Perhaps it is interesting to see and hear the music - written
and played music.
Also many of the original vocal or orchestral models of these theorbo
arrangements are included!
So it is also up to you to play (or even arrange!) these pieces
more beautifully and clean than I do ... :-)
Pieces played by French theorbo in a (a'=415 Hz)
(Stephen Barber 1986)
- Robert de Visee: Pieces in
D_la_re_mineur (ms. Saizenay)
- Prelude (Saizenay, p. 227),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (12.1.2009)
- Allemande (Saizenay, p. 228-229),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (17.1.2009)
- Courante (Saizenay, p. 223),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (19.1.2009)
- Sarabande (Saizenay, p. 224),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (26.1.2009)
- Gigue (Saizenay, p. 224),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (2.2.2009)
- Passacaille (Saizenay, p. 229),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (9.2.2009)
- Robert de Visee: Pieces in
G_re_sol_majeur (ms. Saizenay)
-
Pieces mises en tablature de theorbe par Robert de Visee (ms. Saizenay)
[You can find lots of music and info of Lully -- operas, ballets, texts etc. --
in
Gallica,
in
Lully-site
and in
Univ. of North Texas, Lully Collection]
- Second air d'Isis (Lully, Isis, 1677) (Saizenay, p. 217),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (2.3.2009)
(The original piece
by Lully, Isis, II act, 7th scene, 2nd Air)
- Que ces lieux ont d'attraits (Lully, Isis, 1677) (Saizenay, p. 218),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (7.3.2009)
(The original song
by Lully, Isis, II act, 7th scene)
- Grand Ballet du Roy ("Sommes nous pas trop heureux",
Lully, Ballet de l'Impatience,1661) (Saizenay, p. 221),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (9.3.2009)
(The original composition
by Lully, Ballet de l'Impatience, I Entree & La Serenade.
The melody and text)
- Que devant vous tout s'abaisse et tout tremble
(Lully, Atys, 1676)
(Saizenay, p. 225),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (16.3.2009)
(The original piece
by Lully.)
- Entree d'Apollon
(Lully, Le Triomphe de l'Amour, 1681)
(Saizenay, p. 222),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (21.3.2009)
(The original piece
by Lully:
page 1,
page 2,
page 3
)
Pieces played by "Théorbe de pieces" in d (a'=392 Hz)
(My archlute (Stephen Barber, 1987) is
stringed and tuned to a high theorbo.)
- Anonymous French theorbo arrangements in manuscript Res-1106, Bibl. National, Paris
(late 17th century - early 18th century)
- Vaudeville
(ms. Res-1106, fol 64v),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (3.4.2009)
This ms. was
probably written at the end of 17th century or early 18th century.
Many, many years later
Swedish poet and composer Carl Mikael Bellman used this piece
in his song "Solen glimmar blank och trind". As far as I know
Bellman's grandfather actually was a French lutenist!
- Plainte d'Atis
("Entree des Nymphes", Lully, Atys, 1676)
(ms. Res-1106, fol. 9r),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (6.4.2009)
(The
original piece
by Lully, Atys, V act, 7. scene)
- Robert de Visee: Pieces in
A_mi_la_mineur (ms. Saizenay, the Sarabande is from ms. Res-1106)
These pieces are marked "A minor" in Saizenay ms. When played
by my "théorbe de pieces" in d (a'=392Hz), they sound like C minor to ears
tuned in the "modern" a'=440Hz.
- Prelude (Saizenay, p. 256),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (19.4.2009)
- Allemande La Royalle (Saizenay, p. 253),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (20.4.2009)
- Courante (Saizenay, p. 254),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (26.4.2009)
- Sarabande (ms. Res-1106, fol 27r),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (27.4.2009)
- Chaconne (Saizenay, p. 258),
the music (pdf) /
video in YouTube,
in Vimeo (13.4.2009)
- Gavotte (Saizenay, p. 254),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (3.5.2009)
- Anonymous French theorbo arrangements in
manuscript Vm76265, Bibl. National, Paris
(late 17th century - early 18th century)
- La Furstenberg
(ms. Vm76265, p. 44),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (4.5.2009)
The name is also written "La Furstemberg".
This theorbo arrangement is probably written at the end of
the 17th century or early 18th century.
The arranger could be de Visee, because the ms. has
lots of music by him. The song is possibly a mockery of the countess of
that name, who was said to be the Bishop of Strasbourg's mistress.
Many composers have used this popular melody in their works:
Purcell ("First Act Tune" from The Virtuous Wife, also known as
"St. Martin's Lane"
in the Playford),
Campra, Philidor, Corrette, Blavet, Pollet, de Murcia, Riggieri...
- Heureux qui peut plaire
(Lully, Cadmus et Hermione, 1673) (ms. Vm76265, p. 83),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (8.5.2009).
The
original version
by Lully in Cadmus et Hermione.
The text of the song.
The arranger of the song could be de Visee, because
the ms. has lots of music by him.
- Les Sourdines d'Armide
(Lully, Armide 1686) (ms. Vm76265, p. 2-3, also p. 42-43),
the music (pdf):
version of p. 2-3,
version ofp. 42-43
(my version is a modified combination of these two)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (9.5.2009)
This piece is really strange! It is originally an orchestral prelude (an
"Air") to an opera scene, where the hero is sleeping. Perhaps he has
nightmares?
Here is
the original composition
by Lully in the Armide, Act II, Scene 4.
The theorbo arranger could be de Visee, because
the ms. has lots of music by him.
- Les Demons d'Alceste
(Lully, Alceste, 1674) (ms. Vm76265, p. 28),
the music (pdf),
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo
(18.5.2009)
The
original piece
by Lully, Alceste, IV act, 3rd scene, Premier Air.
The theorbo arranger could be de Visee, because
the ms. has lots of music by him.
- My own theorbo arrangement of
"Marche pour la Ceremonie des Turcs" by Lully,
the music (pdf),
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo
(24.5.2009)
The
original piece
comes from ballet "Le bourgeois gentilhomme" composed by
Lully in 1670.
I have also
some
Lully arrangements to 10-course lute.
-
Pieces mises en tablature de theorbe par Robert de Visee (ms.
Saizenay)
- Entree des Espagnols (Lully, Le bourgeois gentilhomme,
1670) (Saizenay, p. 287),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (25.5.2009)
(The original piece
by Lully, Premier Air des Espagnols)
- La Montfermeil, Rondeau (Saizenay, p. 308),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (28.5.2009)
- La Mascarade, Rondeau (Saizenay, p. 257),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (1.6.2009)
- La Nonnette (Saizenay, p. 382),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (1.6.2009)
- Je gage de boire autant qu'un Suisse (Saizenay, p. 382),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (2.6.2009)
- Anonymous French theorbo arrangements in manuscript Res-1106, Bibl. National, Paris
(late 17th century - early 18th century)
- Ou este Vous allé
(ms. Res-1106, fol. 36r),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (6.6.2009)
This is an anonymous arrangement of a French folk song.
The song can be found on the
"Brunetes
ou petits airs tendres"
(volume 2
Page 145)
by Christophe Ballard, 1704.
The song appears also in Lully's
"Trios de la Chambre" and also Hotteterre has made a version.
- Rondeau de Phaeton, Menuet
("Air pour les mesmes (=les Peuples qui portent des presens à Isis)",
Lully, Phaeton, 1683)
(ms. Res-1106, fol. 29v),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (10.6.2009)
(The
original piece
by Lully, Phaeton, III act, 4. scene)
- Ma mère, marie' moy
(ms. Res-1106, fol. 30r),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (12.6.2009)
This is an anonymous arrangement of a French folk song.
- Le marie et la mariée
(ms. Res-1106, fol. 20v-21r),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (17.6.2009)
This is an anonymous arrangement of a French folk song (?)
"The groom and the bride".
- Anonymous French theorbo arrangements in manuscript Res-1106, Bibl. National, Paris
(late 17th century - early 18th century)
- Air de Galateé
(Lully, Acis et Galatee, 1686)
(ms. Res-1106, fol. 34r),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (10.8.2009)
(This is perhaps the
"Premier air" of the 1st act of the opera?
I have not found the opera's score in the Net, and cannot confirm
that. The sound clip of the beginning of this piece that I found,
sounds similiar... If anybody has the original, please check and
tell me...)
- L'autre Jour m'allant promener
(ms. Res-1106, fol. 6v),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (17.8.2009)
This is an anonymous arrangement of a French folk song.
The song can be found on the
"Brunetes
ou petits airs tendres"
(volume 3
Page 61) by Christophe Ballard, 1711.
- "Air de mr de Lulle"
(ms. Res-1106, fol. 24v),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (24.8.2009)
I have not found the Lully model of this arrangement. If somebody recognises
the piece by Lully, please, let me know!
To understand the piece I had to make also a
notated version
of the theorbo tabulature. In transcribing I assumed a "normal" theorbo in a:
then the piece is in G-major. Because I play "Théorbe de pieces" in d (a'=392Hz),
my playing sounds in Bb-major in ears tuned to the "modern" a'=440Hz, and
in B-major, if you ears happen to be tuned to the "baroque" a'=415Hz... ;-)
- La Cloris
(ms. Res-1106, fol. 12v),
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo
(26.8.2009)
I assume the model of this arrangement is a song by Lully, but
I have not found the song yet. If somebody
recognises the piece, please, let me know!
- Robert de Visee: Prelude & Gigue in
C_sol_ut_majeur (ms. Saizenay, p. 235) ,
the music (pdf)
/
video in
YouTube,
in
Vimeo (31.8.2009)
These pieces are marked "C major" in Saizenay ms. When played
by my "théorbe de pieces" in d (a'=392Hz), they sound like Eb major to ears
tuned in the "modern" a'=440Hz, and like E major, if your ears happen to
be in "baroque" a'=415.
- Anonymous French theorbo arrangement in
manuscript Vm76265, Bibl. National, Paris
(late 17th century - early 18th century)
- Anonymous French theorbo arrangement in manuscript Res-1106,
Bibl. National, Paris
(late 17th century - early 18th century)
- Robert de Visee: Pieces in G_re_sol_majeur (ms. Saizenay):
The pieces are marked "G major" in Saizenay ms. When played
by my "théorbe de pieces" in d (a'=392Hz), they sound like Bb major to ears
tuned in the "modern" a'=440Hz, and like B major, if your ears happen to
be in the "baroque" a'=415.
- Prelude (ms. Saizenay, p. 291), video in
YouTube, in
Vimeo (21.5.2010).
- Allemande (ms. Saizenay, p. 290), video in
YouTube, in
Vimeo (24.5.2010).
- Courante (ms. Saizenay, p. 285), video in
YouTube, in
Vimeo (27.5.2010).
- Menuet en rondeau (ms. Saizenay, p. 291), video in
YouTube, in
Vimeo (28.5.2010).
Piece played by Magno Dieffopruchar theorbo in a (a'=415 Hz)
(Timo Kontio, 2003)
- Nicolas Hotman: Chaconne (ms. Saizenay p. 296),
video in
YouTube, in
Vimeo (6.6.2010).
- -
See also my pages
11-course lute music
/
Chitarrone music
/
Archlute music
/
10-course lute music
/
Chitarrino music.
There are also some other arrangements, intabulations, etc. in my
Contributions page.
by WebCounter
(3.3.2009)