The Dresden Manuscript, Lute Sonatas | Volumes I–V

The Dresden Manuscript & Silvius Leopold Weiss

The six volumes of French tablature from the Dresden Manuscript, preserved at the Sächsische Landesbibliothek, contain 34 sonatas by Silvius Leopold Weiss (1687–1750). Meticulously copied and organized by key, these works reflect the evolution of the baroque lute.

Acquired in 1929, the manuscripts were partially damaged in 1945. Weiss, a virtuoso and prolific composer, was closely associated with the greatest musicians of his time, including J. S. Bach. He contributed to the development of the lute by adding a thirteenth course and extending the neck.

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

Jean-Daniel Forget – IT specialist, lutenist

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

Guy Grangereau – Guitarist, lutenist

A professional musician, Guy Grangereau studied guitar in Paris with Turibio Santos before continuing his training at the Martenot School. After teaching for twenty years, he now performs on a 16-string hybrid instrument and a theorboed baroque lute. Since 2010, he has been working with Jean-Daniel Forget to transcribe and revise baroque manuscripts, notably those of Silvius Leopold Weiss.

Le Luth Doré Urtext Editions

Le Luth Doré Urtext Editions publishes scores that remain faithful to historical sources, carefully optimized 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 a well-informed interpretation of the early music repertoire.

Volume I: 104 pages – ISMN: 377-0-0017-8801-2

Volume II: 134 pages – ISMN: 377-0-0017-8802-9

Volume III: 120 pages – ISMN: 377-0-0017-8803-6

Volume IV: 116 pages – ISMN: 377-0-0017-8804-3

Volume V: 68 pages – ISMN: 377-0-0017-8805-0

Sonata 33 in F Major • Sonata 32 in F Major • Sonata 1 in F Major
Sonata 28 in F Major • Sonata 34 in D minor • Sonata 11 in D minor
Sonata 35 in D minor • Sonata 36 in D minor • Sonata 37 in C Major
Sonata 38 in C Major • Sonata 39 in C Major • Sonata 40 in C Major
Sonata 41 in A minor • Sonata 42 in A minor • Sonata 29 in A minor
Sonata 43 in A minor • Sonata 12 in A Major • Sonata 44 in A Major
Sonata 16 in A Major • Sonata 45 in A Major • Sonata 46 in A Major
Sonata 47 in A Major • Sonata 48 in F-sharp minor • Sonata 4 in B-flat Major
Sonata 49 in B-flat Major • Sonata 15/23 in B-flat Major • Sonata 50 in B-flat Major
Sonata 21 in F minor • Sonata 25 in G minor • Sonata 51 in G minor
Sonata 7 in C minor • Sonata 27 in C minor • Sonata 52 in C minor
Sonata 30 in E-flat Major