Nigel North is one of the finest lute players in our midst today, and his legendary four-CD set, ‘Bach on the Lute’ (Linn records 1994 to 1996) remains unsurpassed in its technical and musical brilliance. Now, he completes his journey with a double CD combining Bach’s original ‘lute works’ (more likely written for Lautenwerck, or lute-harpsichord), with North’s own lute transcriptions of Bach’s music for flute, organ, and more. This is an exquisite recording, full of space and intimacy, which makes you feel as though it is being played just for you. A must-have.

J.S. Bach – Complete Lute Works & Other Transcriptions (DXL 1194) Digital Booklet

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Initially inspired at the age of seven by the early 60’s instrumental pop group, “The Shadows”, lutenist Nigel North studied classical music through the violin and guitar, eventually discovering his real path in life, the lute, when he was 15. Basically self-taught on the lute, he has been playing and teaching for nearly 50 years.

Nigel has been Professor of Lute at the Historical Performance Institute (formerly Early Music Institute), Indiana University, Bloomington (USA) since 1999. Previous positions included The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London (1976-1996), Hochschule der Künste, Berlin (1993-1999) and the Royal Conservatory, Den Haag, (2006-2009).

Recordings include a four-CD boxed set, “Bach on the Lute” (Linn Records), four CDs of the lute music of John Dowland (Naxos),and a new ongoing series of music by Sylvius Weiss (4 Cds) and Francesco da Milano (3 Cds, both onBGS.)

Track List

CD1

1-6 Suite in G minor, BWV 995
7-10 Partita in C minor, BWV 997
11-13 Prelude, Fugue and Allegro, BWV 998
14 Prelude in C minor, BWV 999
15 Fugue in G minor, BWV 1000
16 Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme after BWV 645 for solo organ
(lute transcription by Nigel North)

CD1

1-6 Suite in E minor, BWV 996
7-10 Partita in A minor after BWV 1013, for solo traverso
(lute transcription by Nigel North)
11-16 Partita in E major (BWV 1006a)
17 Toccata and Fugue in G minor after BWV 565 for solo organ
(lute transcription by Nigel North)