March 2008. While Susan and I were in Europe this spring I returned to the Royal College of Music, London (photograph) and the Musée de la musique, Paris to examine several instruments.

February 2008. Theorboist Daniel Swenberg sent me this link to a performance of Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 from Trinity Church, New York. Daniel is playing a 1999 model of my Kaiser theorbo.

http://trinitywallstreet.org/calendar/index.php?event-id=40726/

 

Sept-Dec 2007. The last few months have been a tumultuous time for me. We had our kitchen remodeled and since my studio is in our house this work was more disruptive than I would have imagined. Shortly after the renovation was finished I developed a vision problem which temporarily brought my work to halt. Naturally I have gotten behind schedule. My clients who were expecting their instruments have been very understanding and supportive. Things have now returned to normal but with several new wrinkles. On the lute making front I've enlisted the skill of the young Columbus Ohio lute maker, Chad Neal, to help me by carving some of the lute roses that I require. I consider this a major addition to my business and I will make it a feature on my "projects" page soon.

July 2007. Žak Ozmo, who is now based in London, stopped by while he was visitng in Toronto. It was great to catch up on his latest news. Žak won the John Kerr Award for the Promotion of English Song Repertoire: the Dowland Lute Prize, while playing a 2004 model of my 7 course Frei, (C.34). This lute is shown on my renaissance lute page. During the April 21 meeting of The Lute Society (England) this same lute was one of the two instruments voted to be the favorites from among the instruments shown at the Society's biennial lute exhibition (April 14-15). Besides a busy concert schedule Žak will be teaching 16th century music and performance practice at the Royal College of Music this fall.

 

The following is a list of my recent museum visits with the principal instruments studied.

2008. Royal College of Music, London. Guitar by Tesler. Musée de la musique, Paris. Lutes by Venere or attributed to Venere and theorbo(?) by Aman.

2007. Musée de la musique, Paris. Lute by Maler and a theorbo by Sellas. Guitar by Voboam. Musical Instrument Museum, Brussels. Theorbo by Railich and lute by Jauck.

2006. Royal College of Music, London. Guitars by Voboam and Dias. Fenton House, London. Lutes by Döring and Unverdorben/Buchstetter.

2005. Museum of the University of Leipzig. Lute by Edlinger, guitar by Panormo. German National Museum, Nuremberg. Lutes by Schelle.

These visits provide the information, insight and enthusiasm that give shape to my project ideas.