Renaissance: Selected Favorites Transcribed for Guitar: Guitar Book

Wallach's transcriptions capture the essential character of these Renaissance pieces while respecting the guitar's natural voice. The collection strikes an unusual balance between historical integrity and genuine accessibility, making it possible to play authentic Renaissance music at a social gathering without sacrificing musical substance. The included section on Renaissance plucked instruments enriches the experience beyond simple note-reading.

These pieces evoke the dance halls and courts of the Renaissance: elegant, rhythmically alive, and deeply human in their melodic simplicity. There's a directness to Renaissance music that feels both ancient and immediately accessible, with dance rhythms that invite movement and melodies that linger in memory long after you finish playing.

Intermediate guitarists who want to expand beyond the typical classical repertoire into historically grounded material that remains genuinely enjoyable to play. This collection serves both serious students seeking historical knowledge and recreational players looking for sophisticated repertoire suitable for social settings.

• Pay attention to the rhythmic freedom inherent in Renaissance dance forms; allow slight tempo flexibility within phrases rather than maintaining metronomic precision throughout.
• Experiment with tone production across the repertoire. Pieces like the pavans benefit from a warmer, fuller sound, while dances like the canarie and volte call for clarity and lightness.
• Study the historical context provided in the book's instrument section before performing; understanding the original social function of each dance informs phrasing and character choices.

These transcriptions work beautifully as opening or closing pieces for recitals, particularly when programming spans multiple centuries. Many guitarists also find them ideal for background music at events and gatherings, exactly as the collection intends, creating an atmosphere of refinement without demanding silent attention.

• Playing Renaissance dance forms with appropriate rhythmic character and articulation
• Ornamentation and phrasing techniques suited to Renaissance aesthetics
• Sight-reading moderate harmonic complexity across varied historical contexts
• Tone control and dynamic shaping to differentiate between ceremonial dances and faster, lighter pieces