G. Sanz. Instruccion de musica sobre la guitarra espanola, 1697

Gaspar Sanz

Instruccion de musica sobre la guitarra espanola, y metodo de sus primeros rudimentos, hasta tanerla con destreza, Zaragoza: for the heirs of Diego Dormer, 1697

3 volumes in one, second edition, small oblong folio (c.20.2 x 28.5cm), 18 engraved plates in volume 1, 12 plates in volume 2, 10 plates in volume 3, Dolmetsch Library stamp and pencil shelfmark ("II C 11") to verso of title of volume 1, later marbled wrappers, some leaves browned, tear to lower margin of plate 11 of volume 2 repaired with translucent adhesive tape, cracking at upper hinge, modern backstrip

"The most comprehensive guitar treatise of its time" (TNG, xvi, p. 486). The first book is an introductory tutor containing technical information about the rasgueado (strummed) and punteado (plucked) techniques, while the second and third books contain advanced pieces in alfabeto notation and Italian tablature, including dances ('Gallardas', 'Granduc de Florecia', 'Rugero', 'Zarabanda', 'Jacaras', 'Pavana', 'Canarios', 'Alemanda', 'Coriente' etc.), as well as pieces entitled 'Maricapalos', 'Clarines y Trompetas', 'Preludio y fantasia con mucha Variedad de falsas', 'Capricho arpeada', 'Pasajes de Bajo', 'Fuga', 'Chacona', 'Folia' and 'Passacalles', of which there are many in the third book. 

LITERATURE:

 RISM, Écrits, p.754; Hirsch, iii, p.151; not in Gregory & Bartlett

PROVENANCE:

From the collection of Arnold Dolmetsch