Classical ukulele player Tony Mizen has arranged 22 of the best-loved pieces from the Baroque era for reentrant GCEA Ukulele tuning. This includes well-known works by J.S. Bach, Corelli, Handel, Pachelbel, Purcell – and even an entire concerto by Vivaldi. All arrangements feature ukulele tablature and standard notation. Includes an overview of the music of the Baraoque era and notes on each of the individual pieces. The CD contains beautiful performances of all of the arrangements by Mizen.

From Lute to Uke: Early Music for Ukulele is a collection of 24 pieces of early lute music brilliantly arranged for the ukulele by classical guitarist and uke player, Tony Mizen. All arrangements are for GCEA-tuning and include ukulele tablature as well as music notation. A CD is included with delightful performances of all the arrangements by Mr. Mizen, which is enjoyable listening all by itself. Also featured is a brief history of the lute and each of the individual pieces.

20 Spanish Baroque Pieces by Gaspar Sanz. (Arranged for Uke). By Rob MacKillop. For Ukulele (Soprano). Solos. Spanish. Intermediate. Book/CD Set. 40 pages. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc (MB.22128BCD). ISBN 9780786683321. Spanish. 8.75x11.75 inches. Gaspar Sanz (1640-1710) is the most famous baroque-period guitarist. His works are tuneful and memorable, with fiery cross-rhythms and cascading scale passages. He published three books of guitar music. The baroque guitar could be viewed as a close relative of the ukulele. Indeed, the two instruments have much in common. The smaller four-course guitar actually had the same tuning as the ukulele, for example, although it was largely double-strung. Sanz enjoyed playing scales in the campanella style, with the notes of a scale set out on different strings, sonically overlapping slightly in the style of little bells. This is a technique the ukulele excels at, and is used to good effect in these arrangements. Sanz’ music for baroque guitar transfers exceptionally well to the uke, as these arrangements demonstrate. It is hoped that this repertoire will bring a refreshing addition to the repertoire of the ukulele, just as the little instrument can bring a freshness to these old but lively pieces.

Ukelele Serenade. (Violin and Piano). By Aaron Copland (1900-1990). Violin. Boosey & Hawkes Chamber Music. 8 pages. Boosey & Hawkes #M051350636. Published by Boosey & Hawkes (HL.48002988).