The Development of French Lute Style 1600-1650

This chapter traces the transformation of the lute from an instrument that was thought to be one capable of counterpoint and chordal support in the renaissance to one (in its solo role) that was concerned with sonority and decorative texture in the baroque. Lute composers were among the very first to fully investigate the idiomatic possibilities of the instrument in terms of sound and technique. The resulting style brisé and the dance suite that went with it affected all baroque music yet it was within the context of the lute repertoire that it was first manifest. This chapter traces the development through surviving music and a discussion of the techniques involved.