The Instrument

After two centuries of dormancy, the Swedish lute is sounding again! This unique hybrid instrument, a late 18th-century Swedish invention combining the baroque lute, cistre, and romantic guitar, was all the rage during the Gustavian era in Sweden. However, by 1830, its vogue had passed, and the instrument fell into oblivion. Until now!

The Swedish lute, resembling a diminutive theorbo, features brass frets and 15 single strings tuned diatonically in A major. For those interested in the instrument's history and development, I highly recommend exploring the work of scholar Kenneth Sparr, who has written several insightful articles on the subject.

An extensive repertoire of extraordinary songs, solo pieces, and chamber music awaits its return to concert halls, starting with Anders Ericson's new album, Solo Pieces for Lutha.