Molinaro / Battista / Severino - Lute Works

"Challenging and highly imaginative works played with consummate skill by O'Dette."
- Gramophone Magazine December 2001

"Excellent sound, intimate without exaggerating intrusive noises, held my rapt attention through an uninterrupted hearing."
- ***** Five Stars. BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE
January 2002

Lute virtuoso PAUL O'DETTE brings to light a neglected collection of gems by the Italian master Simone Molinaro - whose Ballo detto il Conte Orlando was made famous by Respighi's Ancient Airs & Dances. Molinaro produced music of exceptional warmth and refinement, and of considerable challenge for the performer. Also included are lute pieces by his uncle, Giovanni Battista dalla Gostena (c.1558-93).

"One of the supreme living masters of his instrument" - San Francisco Examiner

Paul O'Dette has been called "the clearest case of genius ever to touch his instrument" (Toronto Globe and Mail). Though perhaps best known for his recitals and recordings of solo Renaissance lute music, Mr. O'Dette maintains an active international career as a continuo player, performing with today's most respected conductors and ensembles. He is co-director of The Musicians of Swanne Alley, an Elizabethan consort widely acclaimed for its performances of the virtuoso broken consort literature. Paul O'Dette has been heard in broadcasts on stations throughout the United States, Europe, and countries as far afield as Turkey and Hungary.

In addition to his activities as a performer, Mr. O'Dette is an avid researcher, having worked extensively on the performance and sources of 17th century Italian and English solo song, continuo practices, and lute techniques-the latter resulting in a forthcoming book co-authored by Patrick O'Brien. Paul O'Dette has served as Director of Early Music at the Eastman School of Music since 1976 and is Artistic Director of the Boston Early Music Festival.

Mr. O'Dette has made more than 100 recordings, several of which have been nominated for Gramophone's Record of the Year Award. Each volume of John Dowland, Complete Lute Works, featuring Mr. O'Dette on lute and orpharion, received the Diapason d'Or, and the set as a whole (HMU 907160.64) received the Diapason d'Or de l'Année. His recent releases include Apollo's Banquet: 17th Century Music from the Publications of John Playford (HMU 907186) and ¡Jácaras! 18th Century Spanish Baroque Guitar Music of Santiago de Murcia (HMU 907212).