Edward, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, is one of the most extraordinary figures of 17th century English life- brother of the poet George Herbert, but in his own right a diplomat, soldier, courtier, philosopher, poet, historian and musician, as well as being the author of one of the earliest and most entertaining autobiographies in English. His lute book, preserved in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, is among the most important sources of English and Continental instrumental music of this period. Almost all the major English lute composers of the era are represented, while the large number of works by Continental composers is probably a consequence of Lord Herbert’s extensive travels throughout Europe. The book also contains extraordinary and otherwise unknown works by Cuthbert Hely and Lord Herbert himself, a last echo of English lute music’s “Golden Age.” It is from this book that the pieces on this release are taken and performed by Martin Eastwell.
