Los seys libros del Delphin, Valladolid 1538

Los seys libros del Delphín (Valladolid, 1538) – Luis de Narváez

Published in 1538 in Valladolid, Los seys libros del Delphín is one of the most celebrated collections of sixteenth-century vihuela music. It is the only surviving work for vihuela by Luis de Narváez. As the first printed music book in Castile, it comprises 37 pieces divided into six sections: fantasias, polyphonic intabulations, variations on popular melodies, and vocal settings.

Influenced by imitative counterpoint and the style of Francesco da Milano, Narváez introduces in this work the earliest known variations in Western music. Among the most famous pieces are Guárdame las vacas and the Canción del Emperador, based on Josquin’s Mille regrets.

Five copies of the original edition are preserved in major libraries, notably in Madrid, London, and Washington. The printing, carried out by Diego Fernández de Córdoba, stands out for its remarkable quality.

This modern edition, prepared by internationally renowned musicologist John Griffiths—an undisputed specialist in the vihuela and Iberian sources of the sixteenth century—faithfully reproduces the original Italian tablature alongside a parallel transcription in French tablature. This bilingual format, designed to meet the needs of today’s performers, makes these works accessible to a broad community of lutenists and contemporary interpreters.

John Griffiths – Vihuelist and Musicologist

Renowned specialist in the vihuela and Renaissance music, John Griffiths is a lutenist and researcher in solo instrumental music. His work covers pedagogy, organology, music printing, urban music, as well as stylistic analysis and criticism. Author of numerous publications on the vihuela, he is a worldwide reference in this field.

Emeritus professor at the University of Melbourne and research associate at the Centre for Advanced Renaissance Studies in Tours, John Griffiths has also served as president of the Sociedad de la Vihuela in Spain and editor-in-chief of the Journal of the Lute Society of America. An Officer of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, he continues to actively contribute to research and the dissemination of early music.

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.

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.

• Publisher(s): John Griffiths
• Tablature typography: Jean-Daniel Forget
• Musical period: Renaissance
• Instrument(s): 6-course Vihuela
• Instrumentation: Vihuela solo
• Notation: Italian & French tablature
• Modern edition: Urtext
• Publisher: Éditions Urtext Le Luth Doré
• Year of publication: 2021
• Collection: Guitar and Vihuela Music Collection
• Pages: 260 pp.
• Dimensions: 230x310 mm
• Weight: 0.810g
• Binding: Sewn perfect binding
• ISMN: 377-0-0017-8852-4

Italian Tablature (Urtext)

Libro primero – Fantasias
First tone on G sol re ut, Second tone, Third tone, Fourth tone, Fifth tone of Consonance, Sixth tone on fa vt mi re, Seventh tone on vt re mi fa mi, Eighth tone

Second book
Fantasia of the first tone, Fantasia of the fourth tone, Fantasia of the fifth tone (x2), Fantasia of the first tone on G sol re ut, Fantasia

Third book
Sanctus & Ossanna (Ercules Dux Ferarie), Sanctus & Ossanna (Faissan Regres), Cum sancto spiritu (Missa Sine Nomine, Josquin), The Emperor’s song (Josquin), Jamais je n’euz tant de soulas (Gombert), Song (Si par soufrir), Ricaforte (Je veulx layser melancolie)

Fourth book – Variations
6 variations on O Gloriosa Domina, 6 variations on Sacris Solemnis

Fifth book – Romances and Villancicos
Now King Ramiro settles, The Moorish king walked by, 3 variations on If so many hawks fight the heron, 6 variations on And my golden belt, The badly married beauty, Counterpoint (With which I will wash the face), Burn heart burn

Sixth book
Count Claros of the Sixth Tone, 4 variations on Guardame las vacas, 3 additional variations, Bass counterpoint (Eighth tone)

French Tablature
Same structure as Italian Tablature (Urtext), adapted to the compact format.