Robert Barto, lute

Sonata No 39 in C major ‘Partita Grande’ • Sonata No 96 in G major • Sonata No 30 in E flat major

Weiss – a contemporary of J. S. Bach – was the greatest lutenist of his age, whose music is largely in the mixed Italian/ French style of the time. The Sonatas are prodigiously attractive works of great emotional power. No. 39 is majestic, revealing Weiss’s mastery of lyrical invention, whilst No. 96 is lighter – an elegant work probably conceived for teaching purposes. No. 30 illustrates precisely those qualities of agility, grace and expressive depth that lend his music so great an appeal. Robert Barto’s series has generated universal admiration, MusicWeb