Day 1

Welcome!

Welcome to the January Lute Challenge 2025

Hans Gerle was a Renaissance lutenist and musical arranger who lived his entire life in Nuremberg (c. 1500-1570). He was likely the son of Conrad Gerle, a renowned lute maker who died in 1521.

Though much of his personal life remains a mystery, Gerle's musical legacy lives on through three significant publications, all printed by Nuremberg publisher Hieronymus Formschneider. His first two volumes appeared in 1532-33, while the final collection was published in 1552. This last volume notably refers to him as "the elder," suggesting the existence of a namesake son or relative.

The first publication was particularly valuable for musicians of the time, containing not only musical pieces but also detailed instructions for playing the lute, viola da gamba (Grossgeigen), and rebec (Kleingeigen). It included guidance on musical notation and has become an important historical source for understanding Renaissance performance practices. The collection primarily featured German composers, with intabulations of works by Ludwig Senfl, Johann Walter, Heinrich Isaac, Thomas Stoltzer, and Paul Hofhaimer.

His second volume, dedicated to solo lute music, bridged generations of composers. It included arrangements of pieces by earlier masters like Hayne van Ghizeghem, Josquin des Prez, Isaac, and Jacob Obrecht, alongside works by his contemporaries such as Claudin de Sermisy, Adrian Willaert, Jean Mouton, and Senfl.

Gerle's final publication served a practical purpose: translating pieces from Italian to German tablature. This collection made works by Italian masters accessible to German musicians, featuring compositions by Giovanni Maria da Crema, Domenico Bianchini, Simon Gintzler, Francesco Canova da Milano, Pietro Paolo Borrono, and Alberto da Ripa.

If you've enjoyed the January Lute Challenge, why not share this piece?