BarockgitarrenWerken

BarockgitarrenWerken refers to instrumental works composed for the Baroque guitar, a plucked string instrument widely used in Europe during the 17th and early 18th centuries. The instrument typically had five double courses and gut strings, with a neck shorter than later classical guitars; tunings and stringing varied by region and maker. The repertoire consists mainly of solo pieces, suites, and dances, sometimes in a continuo context with other instruments. The works show influences from the lute and Spanish guitar traditions, and often employ dance forms such as canarios, gavottes, passacaglias, and folias, as well as canzonas and chacconas.

Notable composers associated with BarockgitarrenWerken include Gaspar Sanz (Spain), whose Instrucción de música práctica (1674) includes guitar pieces such as canarios, folias, and passacaglias; Robert de Visée (France), a member of Louis XIV's court, who wrote numerous suites and pieces for the instrument; and Santiago de Murcia (Spain), known for his collection of pieces for Baroque guitar. Surviving sources exist as printed collections and manuscripts, many later transcribed for modern classical guitar.

The Baroque guitar gradually declined in popularity by the mid-18th century as the modern five- and six-string guitar evolved and other keyboard and lute styles persisted. The Baroque guitar experienced a revival in the 20th century as part of the early music movement, with performances on period instruments using gut strings and baroque playing techniques. Today, BarockgitarrenWerken is studied by scholars of early music and performed by specialists in historically informed performance.