Siena lutebook

Siena lutebook

The Hague, Gemeentemuseum, MS 28.B.39

Grand staff transcription by Alain Veylit

  • 2026, March 01 at 19:04
  • 2026, March 01 at 20:21
  • Djuke
francesco1535.jpg
<div> <font style = "font-size: 10pt; font-family:Arial;" color = "#000000"></font><font style = "font-size: 10pt; font-family:Liberation Serif;" color = "#000000"></font><font style = "font-size: 12pt; font-family:Liberation Serif;" color = "#000000">The <b>Siena lute manuscript</b>, preserved at The Hague, Gemeentemuseum (MS 28.B.39) is a vast anthology of 160 pieces of Italian lute music, probably compiled in the 1590s, yet consisting mostly of pieces from the mid-16th century. Written using exclusively Italian tablature, it is methodically organized, with fantasias and ricercares opening the collection followed by Canzoni Francesi (French chansons). <p> Very notably for the period, very few dances are represented in the collection, with the exception of 2 galliards and one allemande or ballo - seems to have served as a model for John Dowland's "Lady Hunsdon's Puffe" - at the very end of the volume, quite probably from the later part of the century. Those dances are of excellent quality.</p><p> The final leaves are interesting as they contain later compositions, such as toccatas, and a dozen exercises without barlines, more typical of the late 16th or even early 17th century.</p><p> Most of the value of the collection, however, is in the fantasias and ricercare, many of whom are titled after their composer's name, often times abbreviated, and organized by tonality. Among the composers, we find many famous names of the period, notably Francesco da Milano, Giulio Severino, Fabrizio Dentice, or Luigi Vindella. Perhaps a dozen pieces were copied "Dal libro di F.B.", from the book of F.B. "F.B." as his contemporary "B.M.", also found in Vincenzo galiei's Fronimo, are still unidentified, but must have enjoyed some degree of fame, to be recognizable simply by their initials. </p><p> I am proposing this transcription in grand staff notation for two main reasons: first, I think it helps highlight the complexity of that music for people not familiar with tablature notation. This is particularly evident with the opening motifs of the fantasias, that are often echoed between voices. Finding exactly where those voices are has been a constant challenge, I am afraid still not fully solidified, either by my own inability or by the nature of the instrument and its notation. I found myself disagreeing with myself repeatedly on the matter of attributing a particular note to one staff or the other. What seeemed obvious one minute became debatable on second and third reading... </p><p> A second motivation for this transcription is to help with the development of my software, Fandango. I would never have started this project without the automatic procedures offered by Fandango in the conversion of tablature to notation. And yet, those automatic procedures are far from satisfactory for a final product. In the end, I had to edit the notation piece by piece, several times, and as I mentioned earlier, all the while hesitating on the best way to convey the fullness of the tablature version. </p><p> Although this transcription is by no means a satisfactory transcription for keyboard, I hope it will be useful for other uses, and for people who do not read tablature. Also, it may be interesting to use in the creation of duets for lute or guitar. </p><p> One final note, that may seem trivial to most of you, this grand staff transcription allows for a much more interesting MIDI rendition of the pieces. One may scoff at it but MIDI output is an essential tool for editing and proofreading, not to mention being very useful for people with visual impairments. Note that the tempi I used are mostly too fast for actual performance. </p><p> &nbsp;</p><p> <i>May this work receive its reward in your enjoyment of it. </p><p> Alain Veylit, Riverside California, February 2026.</p><p> &nbsp;</p><p> </i>&nbsp;</p><p> </p></font></div>
  • Siena-keyboard.pdf
  • francesco1535.jpg

161 Sections

  1. [Fantasia] Francesco da Milano fol 1r Ness #24

    MIDI

  2. [Fantasia] Anon fol. 1v

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  3. [Ricercar] Anon fol 2r

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  4. [Fantasia] Anon fol.2r

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  5. [Fantasia] Anon fol 2v

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  6. [Fantasia] G[iananto]io Severino f2v-3r

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  7. [Fantasia] Fab[o] Dentici fol.3r

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  8. [Fantasia] Francesco da Milano fol.3r-3v Ness #53

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  9. [Fantasia] Francesco da Milano f 3v-4r Ness #21

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  10. [Recercario] Francesco da Milano fol.4r Ness #52

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  11. [Ricercar] [Giulio da Modena] fol. 4r-4v

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  12. [Ricercar] Anon fol.4v

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  13. [Ricercar] Anon fol.5r

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  14. [Ricercar] Anon fol.5r-5v

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  15. [Recercata bella] Anon fol.5v

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  16. [Recercario] Francesco da Milano fol.5v Ness #47

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  17. [Ricercar] Anon fol.6r

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  18. [Fantasia] Pier[in]o [Fiorentino] fol.6r-6v

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  19. [Fantasia] Anon fol.6v

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  20. Di Pier:o [Fantasia] Pier[in]o [Fiorentino] fol.6v-7r

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  21. Alio [Fantasia] [Pierino Fiorentino] fol.7r

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  22. Del Med:o [Fantasia] [Pierino Fiorentino] fol.7v.

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  23. [Ricercar] Francesco da Milano fol.8a. Ness #23 (part 1 of duet)

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  24. [Fantasia] Fabritio Dentice fol.8r-8v

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  25. [Fantasia] Anon fol.8v-9r

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  26. [Fantasia] Anon fol.9r-9v

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  27. Del Pineta [Fantasia] Pineta fol. 9v-10r

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  28. Franc:o da Parigi [Fantasia] Franc.o da Parigi fol.10v Not in Ness: Francesco da Milano or Albert de Rippe?

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  29. Med:o [Fantasia] Francesco da Parigi fol.11r

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  30. Fab. Den. [Fantasia] Fabritio Dentici fol. 11v

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  31. Seuer:o [Fantasia] Giulio Severino fol. 12r

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  32. Secondi Toni [Fantasia] Anon. fol. 12v

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  33. [Fantasia] Anon fol. 12v - 13r

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  34. Den. [Fantasia] Fabritio Dentici fol. 13r

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  35. [Fantasia] Anon. fol. 13v

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  36. Terzi Toni [Recercar] Gio. Maria da Crema fol. 14r.

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  37. [Fantasia] Anon . fol.14r

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  38. [Fantasia] Anon. fol.14v.

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  39. [Fantasia] Anon. fol.15r

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  40. [Fantasia] Anon . fol.15r - 15v

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  41. [Fantasia] Franc:o Parigi (Francesco da Milano) fol.15v (Ness #30

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  42. Seuer:no [Fantasia] Giulio Severino [or Fabritio Dentici?] fol.16r

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  43. Mede:o [Fantasia] Giulio Severino fol.16r - 16v

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  44. [Fantasia] B. M. fol.16v - 17r

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  45. Quarti Toni [Ricercar] Francesco da Milano fol.17r Ness #10

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  46. [Prelude] Anon. fol.17r - 17v (cf. Attaingnant, 1529, #1

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  47. Seuer:no [Fantasia] Giulio Severino fol.17v - 18r

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  48. F.M. [Ricercar] Francesco da Milano fol.18r Ness #42

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  49. [Ricercar] Francesco da Milano fol.18v Ness #13

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  50. [Fantasia] Anon. fol.18v

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  51. [Fantasia] Anon. fol.19r

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  52. Quinti Toni B.M. [Fantasia] B. M. fol.19v (compare to fol.24r) B.M.=Bernardo Monzino?

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  53. [Ricercar] Francesco da Milano fol.20r Ness #8

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  54. [Fantasia] Anon. fol.20r - 20v

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  55. [Fantasia] Francesco da Milano fol.20v Ness #35

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  56. [Fantasia] Anon fol.20v - 21r

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  57. [Fantasia] Giulio Segni da Modena fol.21r

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  58. [Fantasia] Anon. fol.21v

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  59. [Fantasia] Francesco da Milano fol.21v - 22r Ness, #61

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  60. [Fantasia] Anon fol.22r

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  61. [Fantasia] Anon. fol.22r

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  62. [Fantasia] Francesco da Milano fol.22v Ness, # 58

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  63. [Fantasia] Anon. fol.22v - 23r

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  64. [Fantasia] Francesco da Milano fol.23r - 23v Ness #5

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  65. Monz:no [Fantasia] Francesco da Milano fol.24r Ness App. #26

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  66. Franc:o da Parigi [Fantasia] Francesco da Milano fol.24v Ness #56

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  67. Med:o [Fantasia] Francesco da Milano fol.25r Ness App. # 27

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  68. D'Amor mi Plains Rogier Pathie - Anon fol.25r - 25v

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  69. MIDI

  70. [Fantasia] B. M. fol.26r - 27r

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  71. Giul Seuer:no [Fantasia] Giulio Severino fol.27r-27v

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  72. MIDI

  73. Sesto Tono [Fantasia] Giulio Severino fol.28r-28v

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  74. Fabr. Dent. [Fantasia] Fabritio Dentici fol. 28v-29r

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  75. [Fantasia] Anon fol. 29r

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  76. B.M. [Fantasia] B.M. fol. 29v

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  77. [Fantasia] Anon fol.29v-30r

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  78. Fabr. Dent. [Fantasia] Fabritio Dentici fol.30r-30v

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  79. Del Med:o [Fantasia] Fabritio Dentici fol.30v-31r

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  80. Settimi Toni [Fantasia] Anon fol.31r-31v

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  81. Fantasia Anon fol.31v

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  82. [Ricercar] Anonymous fol.32[1]

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  83. [Recercata] Francesco da Milano fol.32v Ness #46

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  84. Recercata Francesco da Milano fol 32v Ness #15

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  85. [Fantasia] Anon fol.33r

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  86. [Ricercar] Anon fol.33v

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  87. [Ricercar] Anon fol. 33v

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  88. Ricercar Anon fol.34r

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  89. Recercata Francesco da Milano fol.34r-34v Ness #20

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  90. Ricercar Anon fol.34v

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  91. Dal Libro di F.B. [Fantasia] F.B.? fol.41r [ff.35r-40v empty]

    MIDI

  92. [Fantasia] Anon fol.41r-41v

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  93. Fantasia F.B.? fol. 42r

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  94. Fantasia F.B.? fol.42r-42v

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  95. Fantasia F.B.? fol. 42v

    MIDI

  96. Fantasia in Sesquialtera F.B.? fol.43r-44v

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  97. [Fantasia] F.B.? fol.43v-44r

    MIDI

  98. [Fantasia] Anon fol.44r-44v

    MIDI

  99. Fantasia a tre Voci F.B.? fol.44v-45r

    MIDI

  100. [Fantasia] F.B.? fol.45r

    MIDI

  101. [Fantasia] Francesco da Milano fol.45v-46 Ness #55

    MIDI

  102. G.P. [Fantasia] G.P. fol.46r-46v

    MIDI

  103. [Fantasia] Anon fol.47r-47v

    MIDI

  104. Canzoni Francesi - Petit Jacquet Crequillion f47v-48r

    MIDI

  105. Ardent' amor Anon fol.48r

    MIDI

  106. Un mesnagier vieillard Sohier/Orlando di Lasso fol.48v

    MIDI

  107. Veu le grief mal Villiers, Pierre de fol.49r

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  108. Rien n'est plus cher Villiers, Pierre de fol.49v

    MIDI

  109. Doulce memoire Sandrin fol. 50r

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  110. La volunté Sandrin fol.50v

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  111. Je sens l'affection Boyvin fol.51r

    MIDI

  112. Las qu' on congneust Sandrin or Sermisy or Thomas Crequillon? fol.51v

    MIDI

  113. Dieu des amants Arcadelt fol.52r

    MIDI

  114. MIDI

  115. MIDI

  116. Elle a bien ce ris gracieux Sermisy fol.53v

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  117. Mais pour quoy Sandrin/Albert de Rippe fol.54r

    MIDI

  118. Je cherche autan amour Boyvin fol.54v

    MIDI

  119. Or sus, or sus vous dormes Janequin fol.55r-55v

    MIDI

  120. MIDI

  121. Pour ung petit coup Anon fol.56v

    MIDI

  122. Je prens en gre Clemens non Papa fol.57r-57v

    MIDI

  123. [Pour ung plaisir] Crequillon fol.57v

    MIDI

  124. Je voys, je viens Anon fol.58r

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  125. Ricercha di Francesco M. Francesco da Milano fol.58v-59r Ness #33

    MIDI

  126. La Compagna Francesco da Milano fol.59r-59v Ness #34

    MIDI

  127. Ricerchare Anon fol.60r-61r

    MIDI

  128. fantasia Sig. Andrea. Felitianj Andrea Feliciani fol.60r-61r

    MIDI

  129. Fantasia 2.da del med:o Andrea Feliciani fol.61v-62r

    MIDI

  130. Fantasia 3.a del med:o Andrea Feliciani fol.62r

    MIDI

  131. Ricerchare Anon fol.62v-66

    MIDI

  132. Ricerchare Francesco da Milano fol.66v Ness #28

    MIDI

  133. MIDI

  134. Fantasia di F.M. Francesco da Milano fol.68r Ness #30

    MIDI

  135. Fabricis Denticj Fantasia Fabritis Dentici fol.68v

    MIDI

  136. Fantasia di Montriste di F.M. Francesco da Milano fol.69r

    MIDI

  137. Ricerchare Francesco da Milano Siena fol.69r Ness #43

    MIDI

  138. Aluigi Vindella Aluigi Vindella fol.69v

    MIDI

  139. Fantasia Anonymous fol.70[1]. Bar lines editorial

    MIDI

  140. Fantasia Anonymous fol.70[2]. Bar lines editorial.

    MIDI

  141. Fantasia Amadeo Moretti? fol.70v. Bar lines editorial.

    MIDI

  142. Fantasia Anonymous fol.71. Bar lines editorial.

    MIDI

  143. Fantasia Anonymous fol.71v[1]. Bar lines editorial.

    MIDI

  144. Fantasia Anonymous f.71v[2]. Bar lines editorial.

    MIDI

  145. Fantasia Anonymous f.72[1]. Bar lines editorial

    MIDI

  146. Fantasia Anonymous fol.72[2]. Bar lines editorial.

    MIDI

  147. Fantasia Anonymous fol.72v[1]. Bar lines editorial.

    MIDI

  148. Fantasia Anonymous f.72v[2]. Bar lines editorial.

    MIDI

  149. Fantasia Anonymous fol.73[1]. Bar lines editorial.

    MIDI

  150. Voce a tre [Toccata] Anonymous f.73[2]. Bar lines editorial

    MIDI

  151. 2:da fol.73[3].

    MIDI

  152. 3:a fol.73v[1]. Bar lines editorial

    MIDI

  153. 4:a fol.73v[2].

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  154. Tocchata di Mj Amidis Moretti 1:a Amidis Moretti f.73v[3]. Bar lines editorial.

    MIDI

  155. Spagna detta lamir:o p:o Modo Anonymous fol.74v.

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  156. Secondo Modo fol.75r.

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  157. Terzo Modo fol.75v.

    MIDI

  158. Quarto Modo fol.76r.

    MIDI

  159. [Galliard] Anonymous f.112v. Bar lines editorial.

    MIDI

  160. [Galliard] Guillaume de Vaumesnil fol.113r Bar lines editorial

    MIDI

  161. [Allemande] Anonymous fol.113v. ff.114r-118r missing

    MIDI