LA ROTA FORTUNA: Chansons & lute solos in honor of Francesco Spinacino, fl. 1507

A CD Baby top 40 best-selling classical CD

   Program Notes
   Read a review of this disc

La Rota Fortuna: Chansons & lute solos in honor of Francesco Spinacino, fl. 1507

A beguiling program of chansons and lute solos from circa 1500 offered as an homage to Francesco Spinacino and his pioneering efforts, publishing the very first prnted music for lute, Intabulatura de lauto (Petrucci, Venice, 1507).

Our approach is to present the chansons, including several intabulated by Spinacino, in their original vocal form, playing the untexted lower parts on the lute. We use Spinacino's recercars as preludes and include other lute solos from the period as interludes. Most chansons included are set in the rondeau form, which we follow faithfully and perform in their entirety.

Our title, La Rota Fortuna, is not entirely whimsical. The image of Fortune's Wheel - that fortune is cyclical - permeates poetical and philosophical writings from antiquity onwards, and is featured conspicuously in the texts of our recorded program.

Denys Stephens, Lute News (UK) says of Rota Fortuna:
"Donna Stewart sings these superbly, expertly negotiating the technical difficulties and bringing to life their refined but passionate emotion. Ron Andrico's lute gently interweaves the lower voices of the chansons. This involves some quite dextrous playing, but it always supports and never overwhelms the vocal part....Essential listening for any lute player interested in the late 15th/ early 16th century repertoire."
Read the full review here...

Release date: September 2007 31 songs and lute solos, c. 63 minutes $15.00 + 1st class international shipping

Track Listing (links will open as MP3 sound clips)