Gaultier, Denys

Born between 1600 and 1610

Died about 1664. A renowned lute-player; was born at Marseilles, and died in Paris. When quite young he went to Paris to study law, and there, in 1647, with his cousin Jacques, established a school for lute-playing, which proved a success. He composed much for the lute, and was considered by his contemporaries the most eminent composer and player for his instrument. Two collections of lute-music containing many of his own and of his cousin's compositions, are extant, namely, Pieces de luth and Livre de tablature; and a manuscript collection of sixty-two pieces is preserved in the Berlin Museum.