Ennemond Gaultier: 4 Courantes (c.1610)

Four courantes by Ennemond Gaultier

0:06 Courante (#120)
1:13 Courante, his Adieu (#128)
2:27 Courante (#129)
3:33 Courante (#203)

Very little is known about Ennemond Gaultier (c.1575-1651) except that he was an exceptional lutenist at the Paris court of the Queen Mother Marie de Medici. One can hear the many virtuosic intricacies that he incorporated in his numerous courantes included in the Herbert of Cherbury Lute Book. Unlike the courantes documented in Praetorius' Terpsichore, Gaultier's works are much more stylized and were likely intended for quiet, meditative chamber performance instead of the original dance-form.

Description of the photos:

1. Tabulature score of #120 Courante, E. Gaultier, Herbert Lord of Cherbury Lute Book (HCLB), c1610
2. Duet, Hendrick ter Bruggen, 1628
3. Score of #128 Courante, E. Gaultier, HCLB, c1610
4. Lute playing from the left side, detail from the Lute Player (Rembrandt?), Jans Lievensz, c1629
5. Score #129 Courante, E. Gaultier, HCLB, c1610
6. Lady playing lute
7. Score #203 Courante, E. Gaultier, HCLB, c1610
8. Musicians on the balcony, Gerrit van Honthorst, 1622