My previous editions of lute and guitar music from the 16th-18th centuries were exclusively concerned with solo material. In the present volume the wishes of many guitarists for pieces for two guitars from the same period are realised.

Because there are relatively few compositions for two instruments in guitar tablatures, one supposes that this manner of playing was seldom cultivated. Thus it happens that from the relatively small number of performable pieces some are musically insignificant, and often so full of errors as well, that one cannot entertain the idea of a published collection. In this edition, therefore, in addition to works originally intended for two guitars there are duets for colascione and also for baroque and renaissance lutes. The Prefaces of the volumes that have previously appeared contain more detailed information in respect of the particular instruments – concerning the number of strings, their tuning, notation, and characteristics of playing.

In spite of the many insufficiencies and imprecisions of the different kinds of tablature in the old manuscripts and printed books pieces are presented as nearly as possible truthful to their sources, with only manifest errors being silently corrected.

Adalbert Quadt, Berlin, May 1981