Dowland - Suggest me some good collection...

[escher]

...of pieces for lute and voice. I'd like one with In darkness let me dwell on it if possible.

[Luke]

The obvious response, I know, but for me it is Deller Deller Deller every time. I know he has been surpassed and superceded and whatnot by later countertenors with more technical wizardry, but for insight and interpretation, vocal flexibility, the daring to allow frailty and vulnerability not to mention 'hellish jarring sounds' into his voice and also, quite simply, for being so honest and decent a singer - there's no one like him in this repertoire.

This is the one I return to:

(available in other packaging I think)

and I have to admit, I tend to programme out the lute pieces, which is bad of me. Some of Dowland's lute pieces are every bit as marvellous as the songs, but the selection on this disc doesn't work very well for me.

[Père Malfait]

I can think of no better introduction to Dowland's music than this disc:



Dame Emma is peerless in this repertory, imo.  If you prefer a tenor in this repertory, as some do, this is a fine alternative:



Happy listening!