asin: B00000169Y binding: Audio CD list price: $20.98 USD amazon price: $20.98 USD

The lute, the whole lute, and nothing but the lute: that's what you get on this excellently performed and recorded program from one of today's finest lutenists, Jakob Lindberg. The Swedish Lindberg demonstrates a special feel for these works from the late 16th and early 17th centuries. His articulation is more firm and accented than on some of his other recordings--those of Dowland's music, for instance--and the result is a clear, detailed, and confidently expressive performance. Unless you're a lute fan, you probably won't recognize most of the composers' names--Molinaro, Kapsperger, Piccinini, and Cutting, to name a few- -but you will appreciate the meaning of the word "virtuoso" in the disc's title. The sound places the lute right out in front and allows it a big, powerful presence. --David Vernier