Guild is pleased to announce that it is expanding its early music catalogue with an outstanding new release of music by Johann Sebastian Bach performed on the lute. Modern lutenists have for years been faced with the challenges of adapting Bach’s lute suites for the German baroque lute. Peter Croton, one of the leading lutenists of his generation and lute teacher at the world-renown Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, sheds new light on these works by presenting them on an Italian Lute, an instrument also used in Germany during Bach’s lifetime. The selected works are performed without modification and in the original keys. This is a recording of intimate timbres and subtle expression, evoking the Lautenwerk, a keyboard instrument for which J.S. Bach apparently composed these works. In addition to performing three original lute works, Peter has transcribed Bach’s first cello suite for the Italian lute, which will delight many admirers of this well-loved music. The CD closes with his arrangement of “Bist du bei mir”, one of the most beautiful and popular songs of the Baroque era. It is a fitting close to a recording of some of the most challenging and expressive music ever written for the lute.

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