Лютневая Музыка XVI-XVII Веков

This recording, titled Лютневая Музыка XVI-XVII Веков (Lute Music of the 16th-17th Centuries), was released on the Melodiya label in 1985. It is famously associated with the Soviet guitarist and lutenist Vladimir Vavilov, who presented the works as compositions by various Renaissance and Baroque masters, such as John Dowland and Francesco da Milano. The album was recorded during a period of deep cultural interest in early music, though it later gained notoriety as one of the most successful musical hoaxes of the 20th century.

It was discovered posthumously that Vavilov, who passed away in 1973, had authored almost all of the pieces on the record himself. The most notable inclusion is the 'Ave Maria,' which Vavilov attributed to Giulio Caccini. The music was praised upon its release for its technical beauty and authentic stylistic capture, leading critics and listeners to believe they were discovering lost gems of the Western canon. The deception was only uncovered years later, revealing Vavilov as a highly gifted pasticheur rather than a mere interpreter.