DAVID RHODES: Lute maker (luthier), composer for lute (s), profession: cardiology research for 27 years at the V.A. Medical Center, Harvard and MIT, developing expermental perfusion systems used in study of bypass surgery. Music, a pastime. WILL TOCABEN: Hartt School of Music with Degree; Royal Academy of Music, London. Of the thirty-six published chamber sonatas written by Arcangelo Corelli (b. 1653 - d. 1713), Corelli specified harpsichord as the principal accompaniment. Stylistically, however, it remains that in the intimacy of private chambers, a single lute may have been preferred as accompainment many times over the harpsichord in order to gain dynamic control of volume, a quality which the harpsichord keenly lacks. Here in these violin works, the harpsichord is replaced by the lute which attempts to provide as much of the base line of the continuo as is possible without using the cello. The result is an elegant symplicity. We can relate the lute to Corelli's music in the manuscript: Musik-8.18761, folio 37 verso-recto (Osterreichischen Nationalbibliothek gestattet), where we find a Giga (Sonata VII Op. 4, 1694)** set for the lute. Also, the well-known Arabella Hunt of England, ". . . with her exquisite hand unpon the lute," accompanied with theorbo the works of Corelli. ** possibly caligraphed by the then young Sylvius Leopold Weiss?. Presented here ... in "dead. I sing sweetly"...aesops., also are five seldom heard works for two theorbos in duo of the brilliant Italian theorbist, Bellerofonte Castaldi, (b. 1581 - d. 1649) from his "Capricci a due stromente cioe tiorbe e tiorbino. . .," Modena, 1622. Substantially taxing in ensemble, seldom played at the octave, intriguingly advanced, these duets offer a rare glimpse of Italian musical poetry where birds can fall in love, mate and fly away. Castaldi's duets require precise play and should be regarded as a sip of the finest Maronea! Enjoy!