Liltin' lute
05/19/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ronn McFarlane is the perfect man for the job. These pieces for the lute and mandora are what you'd expect from the time and place they were written. Surprising how many of the tunes sound like they were written yesterday. On some you may want to kick up yer heels a wee bit. Sonically, this CD is a gem; crystal clear sound. I've lent this to several persons and so far I've heard no complaints. McFarlane's Dowland CD is highly recommended also."
Some rare offerings here
F. Behrens | Keene, NH USA | 09/26/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As I keep saying, I have never heard a poor performance on a Dorian label, and their record remains intact with The Scottish Lute (DOR-90129) and Highland King: the Scottish Lute, Vol. II) (DOR-90257). Between the two, lutist Ronn McFarlane give us no less than 100 short excerpts from the different "Lute Books" that were so popular in the 15th to 17th centuries. There are even some examples of music for the mandora, half the size and an octave higher than a lute. This does not demand intense concentration and is excellent ambient music for relaxing or giving parties. I do wish, however, that more comprehensive notes were included and the multilingual text done away with to make room for them. But the playing is masterful and both CDs are highly recommended."
Pot-pourri of short tunes
Paul Magnussen | Campbell, CA USA | 02/06/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although the late 16th and early 17th centuries are regarded as the Golden Age of English Lute Music, and that of the Continent progressed likewise in invention and complexity, the lute in Scotland long retained the simplicity of an earlier time -- as evinced by the pieces on this recording, of which there are no less than 56, few longer than two minutes in length.
It might be supposed that such a programme would quickly become boring, but the artist has planned it very intelligently, switching to a mandora for some pieces, and varying the mood with skill.
However, for my money, the best lute recording by Ronn McFarlane is definitely the superb Between Two Hearts.
UPDATE
There is now also a Volume 2."