Lute & Guitar Gems of the Baroque and Beyond features the music of the Baroque Era composers Antonio Vivaldi, J. S. Bach and Sylvius Leopold Weiss. We have also included the well-known Spanish guitar solo Recuerdos de la Alhambra by composer and guitar virtuoso Francisco Tárrega. This work was composed in the late 19th Century.

The Vivaldi work is the famous second movement Largo from Concerto in D Major for Lute and Strings, RV93. Today, this work is most often performed on the guitar and our recording features guitar as well. This is a well known work in new age or meditative circles because the of the tranquil, calm mood it creates.

The six movement dance suite composed by Bach is the Lute Suite N1 in E Minor BWV 996. Each movement takes the form of a dance from the Baroque period. These are mostly good-natured lively tunes and create a light buoyant atmosphere.

Sylvius Leopold Weiss was known as a virtuoso lutenist in his time. These three lute recordings, probably also part of a dance suite, create an intimate and emotional underscore.

Compared to these works, Recuerdos de la Alhambra is modern music. It was composed in 1896. The Spanish guitar style is very evident in the music. The shifting back and forth from the minor to major key helps create a dramatic mood.