Italian Guitar Music of the Seventeenth Century - Battuto

In this review of Italian Guitar Music of the Seventeenth Century: Battuto and Pizzicato, the bottom line is clear: this is a focused, scholarly guide for classical guitarists and early-music performers who want to understand and play seventeenth-century Italian repertoire. Lex Eisenhardt presents historical context, practical performance advice, and transcription material in a way that rewards readers who already have basic technique. The single biggest reason to buy is the combination of historical insight and playable examples, supported by audio on the companion website that makes the book immediately usable in practice.

Key Features

• Historical context: Provides a concise background on seventeenth-century Italian guitar practice that clarifies how battuto and pizzicato styles were used in songs and dances.
• Performance guidance: Examines specific performance issues so readers can adapt technique for chord strumming and lute-like plucking.
• Repertoire focus: Collects and discusses repertoire such as ciaccona and sarabanda that illustrate period usage and stylistic contrasts.
• Audio support: Includes a companion website with audio examples so players can hear style, tempo, and articulation demonstrated.
• Author expertise: Draws on Lex Eisenhardt's experience as one of Europe's foremost experts on early guitar to give authoritative interpretation.

Who It's For

This book is best suited to classical guitarists, lute players, and early-music students who want a deeper, historically informed approach to baroque guitar repertoire. Teachers who prepare students for performance of seventeenth-century pieces will find the combination of commentary and examples practically useful.

It is less appropriate for absolute beginners or readers seeking a broad survey of general guitar technique; the focus is on a specific historical repertoire and assumes some prior familiarity with plucked-instrument notation and technique.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• In-depth historical background that clarifies stylistic choices for battuto and pizzicato performance.
• Practical discussion of performance issues that helps players apply the material to real pieces.
• Companion audio makes the examples easier to internalize and practice.

Cons

• The book assumes prior knowledge, so it may feel technical for complete beginners.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Italian Guitar Music of the Seventeenth Century is a richly focused resource that bridges scholarship and practice; it is especially valuable for early-music performers and teachers who want authentic approaches to battuto and pizzicato repertoire. Given the authoritative commentary and companion audio, it represents good value for serious students of baroque guitar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book include audio examples?
Yes, a companion website provides audio examples that illustrate the pieces and performance suggestions.

Is it suitable for beginners?
Not ideal for absolute beginners; the book assumes some existing technique and familiarity with plucked-instrument notation.

What repertoire is emphasized?
The focus is on Italian seventeenth-century repertoire, including chordal battuto and lute-like pizzicato pieces such as ciaccona and sarabanda.