A smaller turnout than usual, but with a few notes of absence from members who are away at the moment. Big welcomes, though, to two new members: Annie Pia and Reyyan Khawlah Özer! Another surprise was the absence of any lutes or guitars in the museum’s collection. They had all been put into storage to make way for a wonderful bagpipe exhibition. We started with an hour of playing. There then followed a discussion about the future of the society. Philip Lord got the performance part of the afternoon underway, with three pieces on his Paul Thomson vihuela, only one of which was a Spanish piece. I for one don’t mind hearing 6c lute repertoire on its Spanish cousin. First we had Sellinger’s Round  [from a manuscript in Trinity College, Dublin (MS 408/2) published by the Lute Society 1999] which was well played, the vihuela’s round, warm voice providing a welcome and soothing antidote to the Edinburgh traffic outside. There...

There have been a few changes to SLEGS over the summer. Rob MacKillop decided running the whole show was too much for one person, so stepped down to see who might step up. A small committee has now formed itself, and will be discussing the new version of SLEGS at this next meeting. Date: 12th October 2013 Venue as before: St Cecilia’s Hall, Cowgate, Edinburgh. Gather from 1pm for playing from 1.30. The venue will be open to the public from 2pm – so if you don’t like playing to a potential audience of the general public, play early! Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

The earlier start of 1pm, to avoid the hoards of the Great British Public, seemed a bit over-protective, as only one person came through the doors after 2pm. Still, one never knows how many people will visit, so – if we can – it might be worthwhile making 1pm the regular time. First up was Bill Samson, who played a 6c lute he made in the early 1970s, complete with fluorocarbon fishing line strings, and it sounded beautiful. He played Dowland’s Fortune My Foe, which was greatly appreciated – its original use as a gallows song reminding present players that they were up next… [photos by Stuart Goldie – click on image for larger version] Stuart Mcluckie played Judenkunig’s version of the famous Calata al la Spagnola, and took it at quite a lick, which then got faster. The performer did say afterwards that that was not his intention! But, actually, he pretty much got it. Good performance, Stuart. Philip Lord performed...

The date of the next meeting is Saturday 11th May, 2013, from 1pm to whenever. Note the hour earlier start – the hall opens to the general public at 2pm. Please only attend between 1pm and 2pm if you are a member. If you are not a member, please attend from 2pm. Usual venue – St Cecilia’s Hall, Cowgate, Edinburgh.

Wow – our biggest turnout, about 20 people, not all of whom came to play. Double-edged sword this one. On the one hand, it was a great event, with lots of smiles all round. On the other, there were some regulars who shied away from playing in front of a ‘crowd’. I know 20 is not a lot, but it did feel a bit more like a concert situation. I’d be interested in reading comments from regulars about this. I enjoyed it myself, but it is how the regular members feel that is of greater importance. Let me know. The playing lasted for an hour, but the socialising afterwards went on almost twice as long, and seemed to be a wonderful experience for many of us. First up was a new ensemble, jokingly called Los Trois Diabellis: Marte Raymond, voice flute, Elly Smith, voice, and Rob MacKillop, Viennese Guitar – formed to perform one of Diabelli’s fine ensemble pieces:...

The next meeting of the Scottish Lute and Early Guitar Society will be on Saturday 2nd February, 2pm to 4pm, St Cecilia’s Hall, Edinburgh – the usual ground-floor room. Rob MacKillop will give a short talk on the guitar in Edinburgh, circa 1750-1770.

Saturday, 6th October, 2012 A good turnout for the first anniversary meeting, with some excellent performances, and a thought-provoking illustrated talk by luthier, Bill Samson. Rob MacKillop started proceedings with three studies by Fernando Sor, played on a Lacote copy by Michael Nalysnyk, Opus 31, nos 18 in Bm, 23 in E, and 14 in G. The first two in particular are among the most beautiful studies by Sor, yet rarely heard. The gut-strung guitar sounded very full and mellow, unperturbed that behind it, in glass cases, there lurked a couple of original Lacote guitars… Chris Jupp performed a difficult Ground from the Marsh lute book, a beautiful “Scots Tune” from the Rowallan manuscript, and finally, Port Jean Lindsay from the Straloch manuscript. It is wonderful to hear Chris’ confidence grow with each passing meeting. He certainly gets the most out of his Early Music Shop lute. Philip Lord is in the process of moving house, with various instruments...

The next SLEGS meeting  will be Saturday 6th October at 2pm to 4pm in the Laigh Room of St Cecilia’s Hall – that is, the usual room. Just turn up.

A very good meeting again, with a good turnout, good presentations and performances. Well done to all. We have no shortage of photographs, with three snap-happy photographers – Bill Samson, Rob MacKillop and Stuart Goldie. Thanks to Elly Smith for booking the Laigh Room of St Cecilia’s Hall – the perfect venue for our happy gang. Rob MacKillop began proceedings  with two studies by Fernando Sor on a Lacote copy by Michael Nalysnyk of www.historicalguitars.co.uk – everyone agreed it was a superb-sounding instrument, gut strung and played with the fingerstips. Rob discussed Sor’s technique as outlined in his Method, before applying that technique to the studies. Rob then surprised everyone by introducing a gut-strung fretless banjo, a copy of one by Boucher from the 1850s. We heard music by Tom Briggs, allegedly culled from his time on Southern plantations; and two items by James Buckley from the 1860s which used the higher positions of the fretless fingerboard extensively. Rob...

The Scottish Lute and early Guitar Society will meet again on Saturday 14th July, 2012, at the usual place – St Cecilia’s Hall – at the usual time, 2pm.  Hope to see you there!