The Dresden Manuscript, Lute Sonatas | Volume IV

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 distributing early music manuscripts for nearly twenty years. A professional IT specialist, he is proficient in music notation software adapted to tablature. In collaboration with Guy Grangereau, he shares tablatures 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 furthering his training at the Martenot school. He taught for twenty years and 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 those 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: 116 pp.
• Dimensions: 230 × 310 mm
• Weight: 0.320 kg
• Binding: Sewn perfect binding
• ISMN: 377-0-0017-8804-3

Sonata 4 in B-flat major – Suonata del Sigre. Sylv. Leop. Weiss: Prelude, Overture, Allegro, Presto, Courante, Bourrée, Gavotte, Minuet, Minuet

Sonata 49 in B-flat major – Allemande, Courante, Bourrée, Grave Sarabande, Minuet, Presto

Sonata 15/23 in B-flat major – Allemande, Courante, Moderato, Bourrée, Sarabande, Minuet, Gavotte, Gigue

Sonata 50 in B-flat major – Introduzzione, Courante, Bourrée, Sarabande, Minuet, Presto

Sonata 21 in F minor – Allemande, Courante, Bourrée, Adagio Sarabande, Minuet, Gigue

Sonata 25 in G minor – Prelude, Allemande Andante, Passepied, Bourrée, Sarabande, Minuet, Gigue

Sonata 51 in G minor – Allemande, Courante, Bourrée, Polonoise, Minuet, Presto