Andre Henrich - Jacque Bittner: Pieces de Lut

The pieces published in 1682 and 1702 under the name Jacques Bittner are among the better-known prints of music for the 11-course lute in the German-speaking world between Reusner and Weiss.

Celebrated lutenist Andre Henrich records this music for the first time in 40 years. Based in Paris since 2002, Andre Henrich performs today as a soloist as well as a continuo player and chamber music partner, with ensembles of international reputation including Les Arts Florissants, La Simphonie du Marais, Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien and has participated in more than 40 CD-recordings.

As a soloist, Andre performs on various types of lutes, with a repertory reaching from the early 16th to the 18th century, with a special interest in the Italian repertory around 1600 and the French lute-school of the 17th century.

Jacques Bittner was a lutenist and composer of Austro-Bohemian origin. He published 170 pieces for lute in Nuremberg in 1682 and 1683. Little is known about his life, although his music continues to be played in modern times.

I was struck by how intimate this was [�] I am hearing from the lutenist's point of view, almost as though I was there holding the instrument. [�] it has a window onto another musical age. � BBC Radio 3, Record Review (Andrew McGregor / Roger Parker)