Luis Milán

Dates: fl.1536-1561

Birthplace: Based in Valencia

Publications:

[I] Libro de Motes de Dames y Caballeros. Valencia: Francisco Díaz Romano, 1535.

[II] Libro de música de vihuela de mano intitulado El Maestro. Valencia: Francisco Díaz Romano, 1536.

[III] Libro Intitulado El Cortesano. Valencia: Juan Arcos, 1561.

Contents:

[I] ''a practical parlor game, addressed to the ladies and gentlemen willing to play it'' (Gásser)

[II] A novel based on Castiglione's Il Cortigiano - a guide to manners of behaviour, now moved to the Valencian court of the Duke of Calabria. Notable for Milan's descriptions of his own performances. He never carries a vihuela - one is always given to him - and he never plays solo, always song with vihuela accompaniment.

[III]

Comments:

Essential reading: Luis Milan on Sixteenth-Century Performance Practice by Luis Gasser (Indiana University Press).

Fantasias 1 to 12 played by Edward Martin on a vihuela by Dan Larson

Edward Martin is a dear cyber friend, a great musician and an inspirational vihuelist. It is this recording of the first twelve fantasias by Milan which prompted me to buy a vihuela. The above link takes you to the Magnatune website, where you can listen to all twelve tracks and purchase the CD.

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