|
Towards a lute grade syllabus, by Martin Eastwell
(first printed in Lute News)
The question of whether there should be grade exams for the lute has been much discussed over the years. The concept of lute exams raises many philosophical and practical questions. Nobody would say that one had to play both baroque and renaissance lutes to gain grade exams, but would one be allowed to specialise further, say, playing only 6-course lute? How many different tablature systems would one be required to be able to sight read? And what about reading from staff notation, or realising a figured bass? If accreditation from one of the national examining bodies were sought, they would insist on theory exams at least at grades 5 and 8—but what is the point of theory exams based on knowledge of 19th century orchestral music? Surely a knowledge of renaissance modal theory would be more to the point. What are grades trying to measure in any case? Is a player who plays simple music beautifully a lesser lutenist than someone who plays technically more challenging music but without much musical feeling?
Yet there is clearly merit in the idea of at least a notional grade syllabus—not least in that it would help beginners find out repertoire of a suitable level for them, and would force intermediate and more advanced players to confront their technical problems. Martin Eastwell, and a number of other lute teachers, sketched some ideas for a syllabus in Lute News 43 and 44. Now, at Chris Goodwin’s request, Martin Eastwell has suggested grade syllabus lists, starting by grading the Lute Society’s own student publications, the works of Dowland, and some of Francesco’s fantasias. Martin insists that if children are to be encouraged to take lute grade exams, much more very easy material would need to be specified. For the benefit of overseas members, the grades commonly administered by the UK examining boards run from grade 1 to grade 8; a distinction in grade 8 is the basic qualification to undertake a performance degree at music college.
Does anyone have any comments on these suggested gradings?
Grade 1
58 Very Easy Pieces for Renaissance Lute (The Lute Society, 1999)
1. Calleno
2. The Owld Man
3. The Bagpipes
4. A Hornepippe
5. The Motlye
6. Buffons
40 Easy to Early Intermediate Pieces (The Lute Society, 2002)
2. Passomezzo Antico
23. Madonna Katerina
24. Christ ist Erstanden
29. Ich Traw der Lieben Woll
Hans Newsidler, Das Erst Buch, 1544 (The Lute Society, 1998)
3. Ein Niderlendisch tentzlein
5. Willing und trew an alle rew
Grade 2
58 Very Easy Pieces for Renaissance Lute (The Lute Society, 1999)
7. Sellingers Round
8. O What it is to Love
9. The Blacksmith
10. The Hunt’s up
11. Robin Reddock
12. Robin Hoode
16. The Hay
18. I am my Lordship’s Grees Man
28. Trenchmore
29. Trenchmore
32. La Conciera
33. Lightlie Love Ladies
34. The Spanish Pavan
35. The Earl of Darbyes Caraunta
36. Passa Measure Galiarde
46. Pauls Galiarde
52. The Passe a Mesures Pavion
40 Easy to Early Intermediate Pieces
(The Lute Society, 2002)
1. Lo Spagnoletto
3. Il Villanicco
7. La Pavaniglia
2. Il Bianco Fiore
11. A Jigge
13. Il Tordiglione
25. Und Wer Er Nit Erstanden
26. Zart Schoenste Fraw
27. Der Hoffdantz [Schwartz Knab]
28. Der Hofdantz [Nachtanz to Schwartz Knab]
30. Nach Willen Dein
33. Von Edler Art
Hans Newsidler, Das Erst Buch, 1544
(The Lute Society, 1998)
1. Hastu mich genumen
2. Unser koechin kan auss der massen kochen wol
4. Entlaubet ist der Walde
6. Ein guter Hofftantz
7. Wo gehnd die Bamberger Meidlein hin wo gehns sie hin nach gras
8. Es wolt ein jeger jagen wolt jagen vor dem holtz
10. Unser koechen kan auss der massen kochen wol
11. Ich klag den tag
12. Lieblich hat sich gesellet
16. Der Zeiner Tantz
17. Der Petler Tantz
24. Ich het mir ein Annelein fuer genumen
Lessons for The Lute
(The Lute Society, 1983)
1. Greensleeves, duet
2. Pastyme
3. Galliard, Rocha el fuso
4. The Antycke
Grade 3
58 Very Easy Pieces for Renaissance Lute (The Lute Society, 1999)
13. Larouse
14. All Floures in Brome
15. Bella Gioiosa
18. Baloo
19. Passe Velours
20. La Rocha el Fuso
21. Il Conto dell Orco
22. La Tirantine
23. Passamezzo d’Italie
24. Passamezzo
25. Quadro Pavin Galliard
26. Rogero
27. Wilson’s Wile
31. El Bataino
37. Blame not my Lute
38. The Paduane
39. Tiente Alora
40. Fortune
41. Tu andera col bochalon
42. La devota del cormio
44. La Lonbarda
45. Tantarra Chomartello
47. Canson Englesa (Lusty Gallant)
48. The Hunte Ys Uppe
49. Greene Sleves
50. La Bertonicha
51. A Galiard
53. Will ye go Walk the Woode so Wilde
54. Passemeze
55. The Passemeze Pavin
56. La Bressanina
57. Lost is my Liberty
58. A Toy for Monica Bishop
40 Easy to Early Intermediate Pieces
(The Lute Society, 2002)
4. A Pavan
5. A Gallyard
6. Il Cesarino
9. De La Courte
10. Robin
12. La Bassa delle Ninfe
15. Hast du Mich Genumen
16. Il Canario
20. Curranta [La Volta]
22. Zucht er und Lob
31. Wo Soll Ich Mich Hin Keren
32. Nach Lust
34. Il Pastor Leggiadro
37. Go Merely Wheele
38. King’s Maske
Hans Newsidler, Das Erst Buch, 1544
(The Lute Society, 1998)
9. Scaramella
13. Ich wais mir ain stoltze Muelnerin
14. Der Ziegler in der ave mit seiner hawen
15. Der Nunnen Tantz
18. Der Hund mir vor dem Licht umb gat
19. Mein gmued und pluet
20. In liebes prunst
21. Elslein liebstes Elslein mein
25. Es taget vor dem Holtze
26. Nach willen dein nich dir allein
28. Auff Erd lebt nit ein schoenes Weib
29. Ic sega din
31. Je suis ami aux
34. Languir Mefais
41. Adieu amours de fons suis lus trop
Lessons for The Lute (The Lute Society, 1983)
5. Pavane
6. Galliarde, Pierre Attaingnant
11. Der Kuenigen Tantz
12. Der Hupff auff
13. Untitled
14. Francesco da Milano, fantasia Ness. no. 31
16. Francesco da Milano, fantasia Ness. no. 41
Francesco da Milano fantasias / ricercars
Ness nos. 4, 7, 11, 10, 31, 41
Solo lute works of John Dowland
(Poulton and Lam numbers)
P 61 Orlando sleepeth
P 62 Fortune
P 79 What if a day?
P 80 A coy joy
P 83 Dowland’s Galliard
P 84 Hasellwood’s Galliard
Grade 4
58 Very Easy Pieces for Renaissance Lute
(The Lute Society, 1999)
27. The Division of Rogero before
43. La Castalda
40 Easy to Early Intermediate Pieces
(The Lute Society, 2002)
14. L’Alemana d’Amore
17. Leggiadra Marina
18. La Biscia
19. Allmane R. Allison
21. La Cortesia
35. Curranto
36. Jigg by John Bull
39. Downeright Squyre
40. La Catena d’Amore
32. Glori armi
33. In te domine speravi
Hans Newsidler, Das Erst Buch, 1544
(The Lute Society, 1998)
22. Ein Meidleyn sagt mir freuntlich zu
23. Nun gruess dich Gott mein truserlein
27. Ach lieb mit Leid wie hast den bscheyd
30. Du Fiensla
35. Las sil Covent
Lessons for The Lute (The Lute Society, 1983)
7. Pavana alla Ferrarese
10. The Honsok, duet
15. Francesco da Milano, fantasia Ness no. 40
17. Rogero
19. The Queen’s Treble
Francesco da Milano fantasias / ricercars
Ness nos. 2, 3, 6, 8, 12, 14, 22, 23
Solo lute works of John Dowland
(Poulton and Lam numbers)
P20 Dowland’s Galliard
P 21 John Dowland’s Galliard
P 22 Dowland’s First Galliard
P 43 The Lady Rich’s Galliard
P 50 Mrs White’s Thing
P 52 Mrs Nichols Almain
P 55 Mrs Winter’s Jump
P 56 Mrs White’s Nothing
P 63 Complaint
P 65 Lord Strang’s March
P 78 A Piece without title
P 81 Tarleton’s Jig
P 85 Galliarda Dulandi 39
P 99 Mr Dowland’s Midnight
P 100 Coranto
Grade 5
Hans Newsidler, Das Erst Buch, 1544
(The Lute Society, 1998)
36. Fons perte
37. O dulx Roveoir
38. En sperant
39. Dame de Beaulte
40. Mon petit Nose
42. Lede partir
Lessons for The Lute
(The Lute Society, 1983)
8. Calata ala Spagnola
9. Piva, Joanambrosio Dalza
18. Zouch his March
Francesco da Milano fantasias / ricercars
Ness nos. 5, 9, 13, 15, 16, 17, 20
Solo lute works of John Dowland
(Poulton and Lam numbers)
P 16 A Pavan
P 26 Sir John Souch’s Galliard
P 27 A Galliard
P 30 A Galliard
P 32 Mrs Vaux Galliard
P 35 A Galliard
P 39 Round Battle Galliard
P 42 Can She Excuse
P 48 Lady Laiton’s Almain
P 49 An Almain
P 60 Come Away
P 77 Mrs Norrish’s Delight
P 88 Piper’s Galliard
P 90 The Frog Galliard
P 92 Galliard Fr. Cutting
P93 Del Excellentissimo Musico Jano Dulando
P 97 The Queen’s Galliard
Grade 6
Francesco da Milano fantasias / ricercars
Ness no. 1, 18, 19, 21
Solo lute works of John Dowland
(Poulton and Lam numbers)
P1/1a A Fantasie
P 4 Farewell (an In Nomine)
P 9 Semper Dowland Semper Dolens
P 10 Solus cum sola
P 12 Dr Case’s Pavan
P 13 Resolution
P 15 Lachrimae
P 17 The Lady Russell’s Pavan
P 23 The Frog Galliard
P 24 Galliard
P 25 Melancholy Galliard
P 29 Giles Hobie’s Galliard
P 31 A Galliard on Walsingham
P 41 The Most Sacred Queen Elizabeth her Galliard
P 45 The Right Honourable The Lady Clifton’s Spirit
P 46 Galliard to Lachrimae
P 58 The Shoemaker’s Wife
P 59 Tarleton’s Riserrectione
P 65 Lord Strang’s March
P 70 Robin
P 74 A Fancy
P 75 A Dream
P 76 A Galliard
P 82 A Galliard
P 91 Suzanna Galliard
P 95 La Mia Barbara
P 96 And Almand
P 98 Preludium
Grade 7
Solo lute works of John Dowland
(Poulton and Lam numbers)
P 5 A Fancy
P 8 Piper’s Pavan
P 11 Mrs Brigide Fleetwood’s Pavan alias Solus sine sola
P 14 Mr John Langton’s Pavan
P 18 A Pavan
P 19 Captain Digorie Piper’s Galliard
P 23a The Frog Galliard
P 28 A Galliard on a galliard by Daniel Bacheler
P 33 Mr Langton’s Galliard
P 34 Mignarda
P 38 The Right Honourable The Lord Viscount Lisle, His Galliard
P 42a The Right Honourable Robert Earl of Essex, His Galliard
P 44a The Right Honourable Ferdinando Earl of Derby, His Galliard
P 53 Mrs Clifton’s Almain
P 54 Lady Hunsdon’s Puffe
P 64 Go Form My Window
P 68 Aloe
P 89 Can She Excuse
P 94 Pavana Johan Douland
Grade 8
Solo lute works of John Dowland (Poulton and Lam numbers)
P 2 Forlorn Hope Fancy
P 3 Farewell
P 14a Sir John Langton’s Pavan
P 40 The Most High and Mighty Christianus the Fourth, King of Denmark, His Galliard
P 47 Sir John Smith, his Almain
P 47a Smythes Allmayne
P 67 Walsingham
P 69 Loth to Depart
P 71 A Fantasia
P 72 A Fancy
P 73 A Fancy
|
