Modern Editions and Facsimiles of Music for Cittern, Bandora, Orpharion, & English Guittar

The following is a list of modern editions of new music and modern editions of facsimiles of period music for cittern, orpharion, bandora, and English guittar arranged alphabetically by composer and/or collector. For additional, individual pieces of music in tablature, see the Music Files page.

If there are any other sources you know of that I have missed or if you have a correction, please contact me, and I will be more than happy to include them.

N.B. Some of these books may no longer be in print and may only be available from used book vendors. Books are listed here only as a guide to what is/used to be available. This list does not constitute a recommendation in any form. As in all things, caveat emptor!

Modern Editions and Facsimiles of Period Music for Cittern, Bandora, Orpharion, & English Guittar:

• Alison, Richard: The Psalmes of David in Meter, 1599. Facsimile: works for voice(s), lute and cittern. Edited with an introduction by Ian Harwood. Published by Scolar Press: London, 1980.

• Allison, Richard: The Solo Lute Music of Richard Allison (with bandora and cittern arrangements). Modern edition: French tab. Edited by John Robinson and Stewart McCoy with a biographical sketch by Robert Spencer. Published by The Lute Society Music Editions: 1995. [contains three cittern pieces from the Otley MS and one bandora Fantasia from Dd.2.11]

• Anon. Beinecke Collection, Yale, MS Osborn fb7. Edited by Stewart McCoy. Lute Society Facsimiles, 5. Guildford, 2007. 4º, 3 vols, 200, 78 pp. While the manuscript is for 7-course lute, this edition also includes an appendix with closely related cittern solos.

• Anon., St. John's College, Cambridge, MS G.13.28: Lute Society [UK] Tablature Sheet #B4 (4 pp.)

• Anon., 12 pieces from Cambridge MS Dd.4.23: Lute Society [UK] Tablature Sheet #C29 (4 pp.)

• Anon., Six pieces from the Millar/Mackalman manuscript, MS. 9477, Great Britain, Edinburgh, National Library of Scotland. Modern tablature transcription by Rob MacKillop. Available as a free PDF, courtesy of Rob MacKillop.

• Barley, William: A New Book of Tabliture for the Bandora, 1596. Facsimile. Published by Tree Edition: 2017. Available as a free PDF to members of the Lute Society of America.

• Berchter, Jacobo: Berther-Chronik. Die Selbstwahrnehmung einer Bündner Notabelnfamilie im 17. und 18. Jahrhundert. Quellen und Forschungen zur Bündner Geschichte: Band 23, Staatsarchiv Graubünden, Chur 2010. Edited by Brunold, Ursus & Collenberg, Adrian (Bearb.). ISBN 978-3-85637-387-0. The cittern pages from the facsimile are available as a free PDF.

• Edwards, Robert: Robert Edwards Commonplace Book, Ms. 9450, formerly Panmure 11, Great Britain, Edinburgh, National Library of Scotland. Modern tablature transcription by Rob MacKillop. Available as a free PDF, courtesy of Rob MacKillop.

• Gorlier, Simon and Morlaye, Guillaume Four Guitar Books, 1551-1553. Facsimile: 9 works for cittern. With introduction by James Tyler. Published by Editions Chanterelle: Monaco, c1980.

• Gundry-Brookes, Roxana: With My Strings of Small Wire: A Tutor for the Cittern. Modern tutor. Published by Roundelay: Napton, Warwickshire c1990. Available from the Lute Society [UK].

• Holborne, Anthony: The Cittharn Schoole, 1597. The English Experience, No. 608. Facsimile. Published by Da Capo Press, Theatrvm Orbis Terrarvm Ltd: Amsterdam, 1973.

• Holborne, Anthony: Die Cisterwerke, 1597. Vols. 1 & 2. Modern edition: French tab + staff transcription. Edited by Helmut Monkemeyer. Published by F. Hofmeister: Hofheim am Taunus c1978.

• Holborne, Anthony: Fantasien und "short aers" : zu drei Stimmen, 1597. Modern edition. Edited by Helmut Monkemeyer. Published by Musikverlag zum Pelikan: Zurich, c1977.

• Holborne, Anthony: The Complete Works of Anthony Holborne, vol. 2: Music for Cittern. Modern edition: French tab + staff transcription. Edited by Masakata Kanazawa. Published by Harvard University Press: Cambridge, 1967.

• Kargel, Sixtus and Lais, Johan Dominico: Toppel Cythar: Nova Eaque Artificiosa..., 1575. Facsimile. Published by Editions Minkoff: Geneve, 1989.

• Lasso, Orlando and others: Recent Researches in the Music of the Renaissance: Canzoni villanesche and Villanelle. (R 82-83) Modern edition: includes cittern intabulations by Phalese and Kargel. Edited by Donna G. Cardamone. Published by A-R Editions, Inc., 1991.

• Le Roy, Adrian and Robert Ballard: Breve et Facile Instruction Pour Apprende la Tablature, 1565. Modern edition: English translation and French tab transcription. Edited by Joseph Casazza and Chritopher Stetson; Translated by Joseph Cassaza and Elizabeth Cain. Published by Robert Duffy: Cambridge, MA 1983. Available as a free PDF, courtesy of Joseph Casazza.

• Lucas, Robin Alexander. Musick’s Delight on the Modern Cittern & Mandolin, Mandolas & Bouzouki &c. Cittern Press, 2021-2024. (6 volumes).

• Melli, Pietro Paulo: Intavolatura di Liuto Attiorbato, Libro Quarto, 1616. Facsimile: 1 work for "Citara Tiorbata," 3 lutes, 2 viols, flute, harp, and clavicemablo. Published by Studio Per Edizione Scelte (S.P.E.S.): Firenze, 1979.

• Misc. pieces by Adrian Le Roy and Anthony Holborne: Lute Society [UK] Tablature Sheet #C31 (4 pp.)

• Morley, Thomas: The First Booke of Consort Lessons, 1599. Modern edition: French tab and staff notation. Edited by William Casey. Published by Markham Press Fund, Baylor University: Waco, TX 1982.

• Phalèse, Pierre, and Jean Bellère: Hotulus Cytharae, in duos distinctus libros..., 1570. Facsimile. Published by Tree Edition: 2007. Available as a free PDF to members of the Lute Society of America.

• Philips, Peter: Lute Intabulations of Works by Peter Philips. Modern edition: French tab. Edited by David J. Smith and John H. Robinson. Publisher: The Lute Society Music Editions: 1998. [contains one piece for lute trio and cittern from Valerius, 1626.]

• Playford, John: Musick's Delight on the Cithren, 1666. Facsimile. Published by Tree Edition: 2017.  Available as a free PDF to members of the Lute Society of America.

• Robinson, Thomas: New Citharen Lessons, 1609. Modern edition: French tab + staff notation. Edited by William Casey and Alfredo Colman. Published by Baylor University Press: Waco, TX c1997.

• Robinson, Thomas: New Citharen Lessons, 1609. Modern edition. Transcribed and edited by Barbara Brewster Hoag. Published by Euterpe Press: Keene, NH c1997.

• Robinson, Thomas: New Citharen Lessons, 1609. Modern performance edition: two volumes. Volume 1: French tab transcription. Volume 2: staff transcription. Also available as a PDF edition. Edited by Doc Rossi. For purchasing information, contact Doc via https://docrossimusic.com/.

• Rossi, Doc: Compleat Instructions for the Cittern or Guittar Containing the most Modern Directions with proper examples for learners to obtain a speedy proficiency, to which is added A Select Collection of Lessons, Airs, Minuets, Hornpipes, Jigs, &c. Curiously adapted for that Instrument by Doc Rossi © Cetra Publishing 2005. For purchasing information, contact Doc via https://docrossimusic.com/.

• Valerius, Adrian: Neder-Landtsche Gedenck-Clanck, 1626. Facsimile: works for voice(s), lute and cittern. Published by Broude Bros.: New York, 1974.

• Virchi, Paolo: Tänze, Canzonen und Phantasien, 1574. Modern edition: Guitar notation transcription, edited by Ferenc Brodszky. Edition Schott 6429. Copyright 1970 by Editio Musica, Budapest. (Note: transcriptions do not cover pieces 3-9 from Virchi's book.) Published by Schott Music.

• Virchi, Paolo: A Critical Edition of Paolo Virchi's Il Primo Libro di Tabolatura di Citthara (1574). Masters Thesis by William E. May, Department of Music, Brigham Young University (August 1986). [This complete study includes a complete transcription into staff notation as well as the tablature, comparisons with original vocal models and translations of song texts.]

• Vreedman, Sebastian: Musik Fur Die Cister, 1568. Vols. 1 & 2 [FH28 & FH29?]. Modern edition: French tab + staff transcription. Edited by Helmut Monkemeyer. Published by F. Hofmeister: Hofheim am Taunus, c1980.

• Vreedman, Sebastian: Musik Fur Die Cister, 1569. Vols. 1 & 2 [FH30 & FH31?]. Modern edition: French tab + staff transcription. Published by F. Hofmeister: Hofheim am Taunus, c2001.