The Dresden Manuscript, Lute Sonatas | Volume III

The Dresden Manuscript by Silvius Leopold Weiss

The five volumes of French tablature known as The Dresden Manuscript, preserved at the Sächsische Landesbibliothek in Dresden, contain thirty-four sonatas by Silvius Leopold Weiss (1687–1750). Carefully copied and organized by key, these works document the evolution of baroque lute writing in the eighteenth century.

Acquired by the library in 1929, the manuscripts were partially damaged during the bombings of 1945. A celebrated virtuoso and prolific composer, Weiss was acquainted with many of the foremost musicians of his time, including Johann Sebastian Bach. He contributed to the development of the instrument, particularly through the addition of a thirteenth course and an extended neck.

Appointed to the Dresden court in 1718, he remained there until his death in 1750, leaving behind a monumental œuvre devoted entirely to the baroque lute.

This critical edition was prepared by Jean-Daniel Forget and Guy Grangereau, based on the original manuscripts held at the Sächsische Landesbibliothek in Dresden.

Jean-Daniel Forget – IT Specialist, Lutenist

Passionate about the Baroque repertoire, Jean-Daniel Forget is a self-taught lutenist who has been copying and sharing early music manuscripts for nearly twenty years. A professional IT specialist, he is proficient in music notation software tailored to tablature. In collaboration with Guy Grangereau, he makes tablatures available on a dedicated website. He also assisted Miguel Serdoura in preparing his editions and his Baroque Lute Method.

Guy Grangereau – Guitarist, Lutenist

A professional musician, Guy Grangereau studied guitar in Paris with Turibio Santos before deepening his training at the Martenot School. After twenty years of teaching, he now performs on a 16-string hybrid instrument and a theorboed baroque lute. Since 2010, he has collaborated with Jean-Daniel Forget in transcribing and revising Baroque manuscripts, particularly the works of Silvius Leopold Weiss.

Le Luth Doré Urtext Editions

Le Luth Doré Urtext Editions publishes scores that remain faithful to historical sources, carefully designed for both musicians and musicologists. Our editions combine meticulous engraving, practical layout, durable materials, and detailed critical commentary in multiple languages.

Each score is rigorously prepared, note by note, to ensure an authentic rendering of the works, including original fingerings, ornamentation, and stylistically relevant suggestions.

Produced by experts, our editions provide clear readability and support an informed and insightful interpretation of the early music repertoire.

• Editor(s): Jean-Daniel Forget & Guy Grangereau
• Musical Period: Baroque
• Instrument(s): 11c/13c Baroque Lute
• Instrumentation: Solo Baroque Lute
• Notation: French tablature
• Edition Type: Urtext
• Publisher: Urtext Editions Le Luth Doré
• Year of Publication: 2015
• Series: Lute and Theorbo Music Collection
• Pages: 120 pp.
• Dimensions: 230 × 310 mm
• Weight: 0.320 kg
• Binding: Sewn perfect binding
• ISMN: 377-0-0017-8803-6

Sonata 12 in A major – Suonata del Sigre Weiss: Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Bourrée, Minuet, Ciacona del Sigr. S. L. Weiss

Sonata 44 in A major – Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Bourrée, Sarabande, Minuet, Gigue I, Gigue II

Sonata 16 in A major – Allemande, Paysanne, Sarabande, Vivace, Minuet, Gigue

Sonata 45 in A major – Introduzzione, Allegro, Largo, Courante, Bourrée, Grave Sarabande, Minuet, Presto

Sonata 46 in A major – Overture: Largo, Allegro, Courante, Bourrée, Sarabande, Minuet, Presto

Sonata 47 in A major – Suonata del Sig.re S. L. Weiss: Entrée, Courante, Rondeau, Sarabande, Minuet, Allegro

Sonata 48 in F-sharp minor – Suonata del Sig.re S. L. Weiss: Prelude, Allemande Andante, Courante, Bourrée, Sarabande Andante, Minuet, Presto

Addendum – Sarabande