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

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La Rota Fortuna: Chansons & lute solos in honor of Francesco Spinacino, fl. 1507
CD REVIEW: LA ROTA FORTUNA: Chansons & lute solos in honor of Francesco Spinacino, fl. 1507
published in the October 2007 issue of Lute News, newsletter of the Lute Society (UK)
by Denys Stephens

The publication of the first printed lute books in 1507 was of momentous importance for the lute as it unlocked the potential of printing to disseminate its music far more widely than had previously been possible. Thanks to the genius of the printer Ottaviano Petrucci and his workshop it also set new standards for both clarity and elegance in lute tablature.

In the lute world generally we have perhaps been a little remiss in not making more of the 500th anniversary of this remarkable event. But it has certainly not been forgotten by the lutesong duo Mignarda (Donna Stewart, mezzo, Ron Andrico, lute) who have dedicated this excellent CD to Francesco Spinacino, who intabulated the music for those first two prints and composed recercars to accompany them.

There is much music here that was known to Spinacino, mainly drawn from the late 15th century chanson repertoire and including masterpieces such as `Fortuna desperata,' `Je ne fais plus,' 'J'ay pryse amour', all attributed to Antoine Busnois), `Amours, amours,' (Hayne van Ghizeghem) and `Adieu, mes amours' (Josquin). Spinacino did not, of course, make lute song settings for his publications, and in fact very few settings of these pieces in this format appear to have survived, although their performance in this manner is highly likely to have taken place.

For those interested in playing this repertoire, Mignarda have published settings of some of these pieces in "Lutesongs of the 15th Century: an Anthology". Those recorded here work beautifully, belying the hours of work that must have gone into their preparation. Just one contemporary song setting that I am aware of is included on the CD, the anonymous `Se mai per maraveglia' from the Libro Secundo of Bossinensis, in which the lute part includes some distinctive solo passages.

The late 15th century chanson is a very sophisticated art form, usually expressing the pangs of lost or unrequited love through hauntingly beautiful melismatic melodies. Donna Stewart sings these superbly, expertly negotiating the technical difficulties and bringing to life their refined but passionate emotion. The opening track of the CD, `Fortuna desperata' is particularly lovely, and from this recording it's easy to understand how it became an enduring classic.

In the accompaniments 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. As a contrast to the songs the programme also includes some nicely performed solo recercars and dances from contemporary sources, including pieces from the Spinacino prints. The recercars serve their proper function here, acting as preludes and postludes to the songs, which adds a nice touch of authenticity to the performance.

The lutes used for the recording are a G lute by Robert Lundberg and a 6-course version of the famous `Warwick' Hans Frei lute in E built by Stephen Barber and Sandi Harris. The distinctive and very sonorous voice of the latter instrument can be heard on many of the tracks, demonstrating the very effective use that can be made of a larger lute in this role.

One senses from this recording that it's a labour of love throughout. The attention to detail extends beyond the performances into the arrangements, the careful choice of instruments and the aptly chosen artwork. The memory of Francesco Spinacino is indeed honoured by it.

I would say that it's essential listening for any lute player interested in the late 15th / early 16th century repertoire, as nothing informs the performance of an intabulation quite as much as having the original song in mind, in the way that contemporary players surely did.