SLEGS co-founder Bill Samson opened our meeting, after rounding off our last one.  He brought along a guitar which he built himself in 1988, and as the guitar is very similar to a Torres guitar owned by Francisco Tárrega, he played three pieces associated with him.  Firstly, he performed a study in E minor, and while the piece is often attributed to Tárrega, Bill’s research tells us it first appeared in a book published in Brazil.  Secondly, he played a study in B minor by Fernando Sor.  Bill, influenced by a historical recording of Miguel Llobet, played the piece with inégal, which suited it very well as it bounced along under his fingers.  Finally, we enjoyed a Pavane in A major, which Bill likes to call ‘a study in glissando’.  Bill used the whole range of his guitar as he slid up and down the neck, delivered precise and clear harmonics, and showed us that his guitar sounds as...

Our autumn meeting will be on the 22nd October, and we are excited that Sara Salloum will be joining us to give a talk and recital on her research on the Margaret Board lute book! If you are planning to attend, please register on the private eventbrite page so we have an idea of numbers, and if you have not attended our players meeting before, please make yourself known in advance by email.  22nd October Meeting 1pm-1.30pm – Arrive 1.30pm – Our regular meeting, members are invited to perform the music they have been working on and to present on topics of interest. Depending on the numbers present about 3 pieces per performer would be ideal. £1 donation for the venue. 3pm – Tea, Coffee, and Cake. A chance to socialise before the lecture recital. 3.30pm – Sara Salloum, The Margaret Board Lute book Sara Salloum is a musicologist and Renaissance lutenist currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Durham. Her...

Glen performed for us first, on a new instrument to him: a four-course Renaissance guitar built in Romania by Caius Hera.  He played three pieces from Guillaume Morlaye’s first book of guitar tablature (1552); Galliard No.2, Galliard No.4, and Les Buffons. All performances demonstrated that he is already very proficient on the instrument and able to bring the music to life with great clarity and style. We look forward to more Renaissance guitar repertoire from him in the future. Eric Thomas was next to play, treating us to some music that his Spinacino Consort will be performing this month.  First up was a Jean Paul Paladin intabulation of Le Contente Est Riche by Claudin de Sermisy. Paladin was a lute tutor to Mary Queen of Scots between 1548 and1553: a very appropriate piece to play in the heart of Edinburgh.  Eric showed great skill and accuracy with the quick chord changes and beautiful melody of the piece.  He then...

We are excited to present a special festival edition of the next SLEGS meeting on 6th August. Jamie Akers is in town and will play for us extracts from his new CD, music by the 19th-century Ukrainian guitarist Ivan Klinger! If you are planning to attend, please register on the private eventbrite page so we have an idea of numbers, and if you have not attended our players meeting before, please make yourself known in advance by email.  6th August Meeting 1pm-1.30pm – Arrive 1.30pm – Our regular meeting, members are invited to perform the music they have been working on and to present on topics of interest. Depending on the numbers present about 3 pieces per performer would be ideal. £1 donation for the venue. 3pm – Tea, Coffee, and Cake. A chance to socialise before the lecture recital. 3.30pm – Jamie Akers, Ivan Klinger: The Poor Branch Jamie Akers presents music by 19th-century Ukranian guitarist Ivan  Klinger from his new album. Klinger’s...

After our last extended meeting, which included a talk, concert, and prosecco and cake, this was slightly shorter, featuring our regular meeting, coffee and cake, and a lecture recital. We welcomed old and new members, with people coming equally with instruments to perform, and without to just enjoy the music and cake! Funds were raised to help bring further guest speakers in the future. Glen once again opened our meeting performing a mixture of German, Italian, and French repertoire on his 8 course EMS lute. First, he performed Margraffer dantz from a Swiss manuscript(CH-Bu. FII)showcasing his trademark ornamentation and arpeggiation, highlighting the rhythmic character of the dance. He then this followed this with Basso del Ninfe, delightfully balancing the bassline and melody of this beautiful tune by Cesare Negri. Finally, he took us to France with an intabulation of Las las porquoy, found in Pierre Attaingnant’s first ever lute publication of 1529. The contrapuntal three voice texture could be heard clearly and projected...

For our summer edition, as well as our regular meeting, we will have a fundraiser lecture recital on Joan Ambrosio Dalza’s Libro Quarto. If you are planning to attend, please register on the private eventbrite page so we have an idea of numbers for social distancing, and if you have not attended our players meeting before, please make yourself known in advance by email.  Meeting is at the regular venue, Chris Elmes place, 1F1 25 Haddington Place, EH7 4AF. 9th July Meeting 1pm-1.30pm – Arrive 1.30pm – Our regular meeting, members are invited to perform the music they have been working on and to present on topics of interest. Depending on the numbers present about 3 pieces per performer would be ideal. £1 donation for venue. 3pm – Tea, Coffee, and Cake. A chance to socialise before the lecture recital. 3.30pm – Eric Thomas – Dalza’s Dictionary of Dance Eric Thomas will discuss Joan Ambrosio Dalza’s Libro Quarto, showing how Dalza...