Лютневая Музыка XVI-XVII Веков

Released by the Soviet state label Melodiya in 1970, this record is perhaps one of the most intriguing artifacts in the history of classical music recordings. Vladimir Vavilov, a guitarist and lutenist, credited the compositions to various Renaissance and Baroque composers, most notably attributing the famous 'Ave Maria' to Giulio Caccini. The recording emerged during a period of intense interest in early music within the Soviet Union, serving as an accessible and atmospheric entry point for listeners unfamiliar with the intricacies of lute repertoire.

The album is now primarily remembered for its elaborate musical hoax. Decades after the recording was produced, it was revealed that Vavilov himself had composed the vast majority of the pieces on the album. His intention was to breathe life into compositions that he felt deserved to exist but lacked a historical vehicle, successfully tricking musicologists and the public alike. While initially praised for its authentic stylistic interpretation, the collection ultimately stands as a testament to the blur between historical reconstruction and original creative invention.