Over the course of a long career, Don King has created a substantial collection of additional arrangements and original compositions for workshops, teaching programs and performance by students and experienced players of both guitar and lute.
Never intended for wider distribution, his scores, notes, and even occasional illustrations were nevertheless typically meticulously hand‑drafted the ‘old-school’ way, reflecting the thought and care that shaped his teaching.
As a resource too valuable to ignore, we considered typesetting this material for commercial publication (there are easily several more books worth in there), but quickly realised this would add a lot of cost that would need to be passed on, when in reality they look fine just scanned in as they are. So instead of charging for them, we have decided to just make them directly available, at no extra cost, as a ‘thank you’ to owners of his published books. Any paperback or digital version qualifies (but terms and conditions apply).
Gershwin – Summertime
There are more than 33000 covers by groups and solo performers of this piece. Composed by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess – this is an aria in the form of a simple lullaby. The lyrics are by Dubose Heyward, the author of the novel Porgy on which the opera was based.
Anon – Medieval Suite
Three of Don’s favourite dance tunes from Medieval Europe – La Danse de Cleves’ from 15th Century France, ‘Lamento di Tristan’ from 14th Century Italy, and ‘Trotto’, a lively tune from 14th Century England. We have no surviving records naming the original composers, and only the melody exists in manuscript sources for these pieces. Don has recreated the bass lines and harmony to reflect musical practice thought typical for the time. All three are in the lovely Medieval Dorian Mode (or ‘scale pattern’ as we would call it these days).
Haydn – Cello Concerto No. 1: Adagio
This graceful flowing melody (adagio) by Joseph Haydn was originally for cello and orchestra, and is the slow movement from his Cello Concerto Number 1. Franz Joseph Haydn German: (31 March 1732 – 31 May 1809) was an Austrian composer of the Classical period. He was pivotal in the evolution of chamber music forms like the string quartet and piano trio. His contributions to musical form have led him to be called “Father of the Symphony” and “Father of the String quartet” In this arrangement, Don has shortened the original considerably.
Dowland – Flow my Tears
“Flow My Tears” is an aire (“ayre”) or lute song composed by English renaissance lutenist and composer John Dowland (1563-1626). It was originally composed as an instrumental under the name Lachrimae pavane in 1596, and became Dowland’s signature tune. It is believed that Dowland wrote the lyrics shortly thereafter to the melody of his pavane.
More Coming …
Watch this space … there is a lot more material to add, and we are compiling and uploading it here as time allows. Volunteers welcome! – especially if you can record yourself performing any of the pieces & send us a good YouTube link or audio file.
