Is there really no dedicated thread? :o Well, here's one if not...
John Dowland, (born 1562/63, Westminster, London, England—died January 21, 1626, London)
(http://cdn1.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/images/john-dowland.jpg)
Probably Dowland's most famous work came from Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares, the opening Lachrimæ Antiquae (Old tears) which was already written for solo lute and a song known as Flow My Tears. Here are three versions, Fretwork, countertenor Andreas Scholl performing the song and finally lutist Paul O'dette performing the solo lute verison.
http://www.youtube.com/v/90gojyNziBg http://www.youtube.com/v/f7vLOjzG4no http://www.youtube.com/v/PnNLfnVovHs
Artist Biography by James Reel
Melancholy was all the rage in Elizabethan England, and John Dowland was the most stylish composer of his time. "Semper Dowland, semper dolens" was his motto, and much of his music is indeed exquisitely dolorous. Although he was a talented singer, Dowland mainly followed a dual career as a composer and lutenist. He was the period's most renowned and significant composer of lute solos, and especially ayres (also called lute songs), and a gifted writer of consort music.
Nothing is known of Dowland's youth; even his date and place of birth are uncertain. It is clear, though, that in 1580 he went to Paris in the service of the ambassador to the French court. Dowland converted to Catholicism during this time, and later claimed that this excluded him from employment at the Protestant court of Elizabeth I in 1594 (actually, the court was cutting costs and left the position unfilled for five years). In 1598, Dowland became lutenist to Christian IV of Denmark, but he was dismissed for unsatisfactory conduct in 1606. Between 1609 and 1612 he entered the service of Theophilus, Lord Howard de Walden, and finally in 1612, he was appointed one of the "musicians for the lutes" to James I of England.
Dowland managed to respect tradition while absorbing the trends he encountered on the Continent. Dominating Dowland's output is a form called the lute song or ayre. It was peculiar to English music, and was systematized somewhat by the 1597 publication of Dowland's First Booke of Songes or Ayres. These early songs are simple strophic settings, often in dance forms, with an almost complete absence of chromaticism. Continental influences come to the fore in such later songs as In darkness let me dwell (1610) and Lasso vita mia (1612), full of declamation, chromaticism, and dissonance.
Dowland also wrote a significant amount of instrumental music, much of it for solo lute and some for consort. There are some ninety works for solo lute; many are dances, often with highly embellished variations. Even here the Continental influence shows; such chromatic fantasies as Forlorne Hope fancye and Farewell are far more intense than the lute music of any other English (or, for that matter, Continental) composer of the time. Among the consort works, Dowland's Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares Figured in Seaven Passionate Pavans (1604), became one of the most celebrated compositions of the late Renaissance.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on May 20, 2014, 05:54:45 PM
Is there really no dedicated thread? :o Well, here's one if not...
John Dowland, (born 1562/63, Westminster, London, England—died January 21, 1626, London)
(http://cdn1.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/images/john-dowland.jpg)
Probably Dowland's most famous work came from Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares, the opening Lachrimæ Antiquae (Old tears) which was already written for solo lute and a song known as Flow My Tears. Here are three versions, Fretwork, countertenor Andreas Scholl performing the song and finally lutist Paul O'dette performing the solo lute verison.
http://www.youtube.com/v/90gojyNziBg http://www.youtube.com/v/f7vLOjzG4no http://www.youtube.com/v/PnNLfnVovHs
Artist Biography by James Reel
Melancholy was all the rage in Elizabethan England, and John Dowland was the most stylish composer of his time. "Semper Dowland, semper dolens" was his motto, and much of his music is indeed exquisitely dolorous. Although he was a talented singer, Dowland mainly followed a dual career as a composer and lutenist. He was the period's most renowned and significant composer of lute solos, and especially ayres (also called lute songs), and a gifted writer of consort music.
Nothing is known of Dowland's youth; even his date and place of birth are uncertain. It is clear, though, that in 1580 he went to Paris in the service of the ambassador to the French court. Dowland converted to Catholicism during this time, and later claimed that this excluded him from employment at the Protestant court of Elizabeth I in 1594 (actually, the court was cutting costs and left the position unfilled for five years). In 1598, Dowland became lutenist to Christian IV of Denmark, but he was dismissed for unsatisfactory conduct in 1606. Between 1609 and 1612 he entered the service of Theophilus, Lord Howard de Walden, and finally in 1612, he was appointed one of the "musicians for the lutes" to James I of England.
Dowland managed to respect tradition while absorbing the trends he encountered on the Continent. Dominating Dowland's output is a form called the lute song or ayre. It was peculiar to English music, and was systematized somewhat by the 1597 publication of Dowland's First Booke of Songes or Ayres. These early songs are simple strophic settings, often in dance forms, with an almost complete absence of chromaticism. Continental influences come to the fore in such later songs as In darkness let me dwell (1610) and Lasso vita mia (1612), full of declamation, chromaticism, and dissonance.
Dowland also wrote a significant amount of instrumental music, much of it for solo lute and some for consort. There are some ninety works for solo lute; many are dances, often with highly embellished variations. Even here the Continental influence shows; such chromatic fantasies as Forlorne Hope fancye and Farewell are far more intense than the lute music of any other English (or, for that matter, Continental) composer of the time. Among the consort works, Dowland's Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares Figured in Seaven Passionate Pavans (1604), became one of the most celebrated compositions of the late Renaissance.
Hmm... Why does this remind me of Stockhausen?
;D
Quote from: EigenUser on May 20, 2014, 05:56:18 PM
Hmm... Why does this remind me of Stockhausen?
;D
You replied without reading or listening. Banned from the Dowland thread....for just an hour, then come back and enjoy! ;D
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on May 20, 2014, 05:58:57 PM
You replied without reading or listening. Banned from the Dowland thread....for just an hour, then come back and enjoy! ;D
??? :P
At the risk of getting myself banned for another hour, I will say that based on the thread's title I thought we were forming an angry mob against Dowland. I was going to suggest "Dowland's Doldrums", but that's not very flattering I suppose.
Actually, the clips you posted are quite nice -- especially the first. For some reason, the timbre of the bowed instrument (viol?) on the first clip reminded me of an ondes martinot.
Quote from: EigenUser on May 20, 2014, 06:08:49 PM
??? :P
At the risk of getting myself banned for another hour, I will say that based on the thread's title I thought we were forming an angry mob against Dowland. I was going to suggest "Dowland's Doldrums", but that's not very flattering I suppose.
Actually, the clips you posted are quite nice -- especially the first. For some reason, the timbre of the bowed instrument (viol?) on the first clip reminded me of an ondes martinot.
I was thinking more along the lines of contemporary slang, "I'm down with that."
You Tube has some good videos available on Dowland, I was surprised.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on May 20, 2014, 06:17:18 PM
I was thinking more along the lines of contemporary slang, "I'm down with that."
That's what I figured :).
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on May 20, 2014, 06:17:18 PM
You Tube has some good videos available on Dowland, I was surprised.
I've heard the name many times, but I don't think I've ever heard his music.
A few other recordings of Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares, that are worth the time. Can't really go wrong with any three, but should be noted that the Parley of Instruments utilizes Baroque violins that offers a unique timbre.
[asin] B000002ZSE[/asin] [asin] B0000016CC[/asin] [asin] B000027PRX[/asin]
By an interesting coincidence, just a few days ago I ordered Savall's recording of Lachrimae. I like music of this period, but for whatever reason had not gotten around to Dowland yet.
What I find annoying with the Dowland discography is that BIS issued a beautiful CD of the First Book of Songs with Jakob Lindberg and Rogers Covey Crump, but no-one has produced complete recordings of the 2nd and 3rd Book of Songs and A Pilgrim's Solace. The Consort of Musik did but they made the disastrous decision to sing many of the songs as consort songs (which they obvious aren't and in this form they sound stupid). So you have to wade through dozens of disks to assemble as many of the songs from the last three collections as you can in solo versions.
:'(
This disc is on repeat AND I NEVER DO THAT! Love this music and this man's voice.
[asin]B001B42DJ0[/asin]
So, yeah, I'm down. Is this disc representative? How much Dowland is there?
Go, cat, go!
Quote from: MN Dave on April 30, 2015, 05:28:56 AM
This disc is on repeat AND I NEVER DO THAT! Love this music and this man's voice.
[asin]B001B42DJ0[/asin]
So, yeah, I'm down. Is this disc representative? How much Dowland is there?
I saw this live.
[asin]B006CAXOGY[/asin]
Remarkably beautiful voice.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on May 20, 2014, 06:21:50 PM
A few other recordings of Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares, that are worth the time. Can't really go wrong with any three .....
Nice to see that you include my two favorites, The Dowland Consort and The Rose Consort. :)
I just picked up the four CDs from Naxos of Nigel North's Dowland. Not as immediately likable as the vocal stuff, but I'm sure it will grow on me.
Seeing some discussions of Dowland the past few days. Bumping this thread I made a few years ago in hopes of those discussions making their way here!
Dowland continues to have composed some of my favorite music.
What say you?! 8)
(https://img.discogs.com/SW3Qpj37-KG1tFeyhseVCYG2lUk=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-3825865-1345925016-7527.jpeg.jpg)
Very much enjoying the interpretation of Trembling Shadow by Michael Morrow. They use three voices I think, and some viol type accompaniment, they sing with a more or less white tone, but it is naturally expressive music. Emma Kirkby's voice is my cup of tea too, and she takes it with just a lute, but I don't know if I don't prefer Musica Reservata's madrigal treatment.
.
The good news is that there is now a complete recording of the Second Book of Songs as solo songs:
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61-HVAUE6ML._SX450_.jpg)
Quote from: calyptorhynchus on August 15, 2017, 11:49:15 PM
The good news is that there is now a complete recording of the Second Book of Songs as solo songs:
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61-HVAUE6ML._SX450_.jpg)
It's good to hear Dowland sung without English middle class vowels
and sung straight, with just a lute, with no romantic vibrato, with expression by means of phrasing, dynamics and colour. You can find other recordings which do one or the other, it's harder to find ones which do both.
Her voice is characterful, with quite a bit of ping I'd say, it has rapidly grown on me, it feels like I'm being showered with rubies.
The English vowel thing is probably just my psychological baggage, it always makes me think of Aunt Edith's drawing room and its antemacassers and aspidestra. Or worse, the SCR.
Down With Dowland!Man, that is harsh.
(Okay, so I am late here...)
Quote from: EigenUser on May 20, 2014, 06:08:49 PM
??? :P
At the risk of getting myself banned for another hour, I will say that based on the thread's title I thought we were forming an angry mob against Dowland.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 18, 2017, 04:39:37 AM
Down With Dowland!
Man, that is harsh.
(Okay, so I am late here...)
Yeah I realized the double meaning after I created it. It's meant as agreeing with the talent of Dowland, as in, "Hell yeah I'm down with Dowland!"
:)
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 18, 2017, 07:57:49 AM
:)
I'm also hoping the controversial thread title will bring in more lookers. Perhaps even asking why there's a thread dedicated to taking down the King of Lute!
La chute des lutes!
Quote from: Mandryka on August 15, 2017, 09:56:46 PM
(https://img.discogs.com/SW3Qpj37-KG1tFeyhseVCYG2lUk=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-3825865-1345925016-7527.jpeg.jpg)
Very much enjoying the interpretation of Trembling Shadow by Michael Morrow. They use three voices I think, and some viol type accompaniment, they sing with a more or less white tone, but it is naturally expressive music. Emma Kirkby's voice is my cup of tea too, and she takes it with just a lute, but I don't know if I don't prefer Musica Reservata's madrigal treatment.
.
I bought this cd recently, and I love it. You have good taste! :)
As requested.
(http://images.artwanted.com/large/68/79756_1320768.jpg)
Ah, Kaj Stenvall...
Quote from: Mandryka on August 18, 2017, 03:37:04 AM
It's good to hear Dowland sung without English middle class vowels and sung straight, with just a lute, with no romantic vibrato, with expression by means of phrasing, dynamics and colour. You can find other recordings which do one or the other, it's harder to find ones which do both.
Her voice is characterful, with quite a bit of ping I'd say, it has rapidly grown on me, it feels like I'm being showered with rubies.
The English vowel thing is probably just my psychological baggage, it always makes me think of Aunt Edith's drawing room and its antemacassers and aspidestra. Or worse, the SCR.
Actually with sung English its not the RP vowels that bother me (I probably have an RP if it has survived 25 years of submersion in the Australian nasal vowel environment) but the glottal stops that are now invading UK English. I have a CD of Finzi's Dies Natalis with an RP soprano who nevertheless sings lines like "For un'o you is born this day in the ci'y of David" &c :)
Quote from: calyptorhynchus on August 18, 2017, 02:10:56 PM
Actually with sung English its not the RP vowels that bother me (I probably have an RP if it has survived 25 years of submersion in the Australian nasal vowel environment) but the glottal stops that are now invading UK English. I have a CD of Finzi's Dies Natalis with an RP soprano who nevertheless sings lines like "For un'o you is born this day in the ci'y of David" &c :)
Good job Finzi didn't set the words "The water in Majorca don't taste like what it ought to."
My most recent Lachrimae purchase, and 8th complete recording of the 7 pavans, is this one from Jordi Savall and HESPERION XX. I believe this is the reissue, and remastered version, of their 1987 recording of the same work. I was able to sample it online and it's divine. I will add this along side the Rose Consort, the Dowland Consort, and the Parley of Instruments as the best performances of Lachrimae I've heard.
[asin]B00FJAKW18[/asin]
Quote from: α | ì Æ ñ on August 21, 2017, 11:28:00 AM
Lachrimae is powerful :-*
The big tune is from a song that Dowland wrote called Flow My Tears. It was a major major hit in the 17th century, loads of composers wrote their own versions of it. My favourite probably is by Sweelinck, called Lachrimae Pavan.
It's worth finding Dowland's preface to it, where he talks about the feelings he wanted in each of the pavans. It really shouldn't sound all the same.
For some reason, I'm not saying it's "the best" or anything, the one I listen to most is by John Holloway. It's got the Dowland mixed up with other viol pieces from the same time, and that suits me, Premont is exactly the opposite of me in this respect, he thinks that it's cyclic and it pays to listen to it as a cycle.
Oh, another thing you may want to check out sometime is The Dowland Project
http://www.john-potter.co.uk/dowland.php
There are similar things going on with Machaut - I mean projects inspired by the music from living composers.
I'm down with this
https://www.youtube.com/v/G2c_pVs_uWc
I'm down with all of this, too.
https://www.youtube.com/v/fh-d9sQb838
and this
(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/4d/fb/8b1f729fd7a0d4722df4d010.L.jpg)
I am still with the fraction that believes the first syllable should not rhyme with "down" but with "low" but the modern pronunciation seems to favor the former option.
And he did also write more light-hearted songs, e.g. "Fine knacks for ladies", "Come again" etc.
Quote from: α | ì Æ ñ on August 28, 2017, 12:49:57 AM
Flow My Tears crushes me every. single. time. :'( :'(
That song only touches the surface of Dowland-land but hell does it resonate strongly with me :(
This is one arrangement I've always loved since it was released a few years ago. Countertenor Dominique Visse, with Fretwork, bass vocalist Renaud Delaigue, and Éric Bellocq on lute. The bass vocal addition is such a great element.
https://www.youtube.com/v/RBhOjj5fQ9s
[asin]B009G3ZUGQ[/asin]
(https://d27t0qkxhe4r68.cloudfront.net/t_900/8717774570524.jpg?1538468114)
Just been listening to this. It is a disk of music from English lute MSS that the lutenist reckons are in fact more unattributed Dowland.
I don't agree, the pieces don't sound very Dowland to me, except for a few little features here and there. I'd say they are probably 'School of Dowland'. But they are very pleasant none the less and, let's face it, you can never have too much lute music.
;D
(https://d27t0qkxhe4r68.cloudfront.net/t_300/635212055328.jpg?1534493841)
A very nice recording that has just come out, and a welcome addition to the small list of recordings of the Books of Songs complete in one recording and as solo songs. Let's hope for a Third Book of Songs in this format soon.
Quote from: calyptorhynchus on November 14, 2018, 11:18:01 AM
(https://d27t0qkxhe4r68.cloudfront.net/t_300/635212055328.jpg?1534493841)
A very nice recording that has just come out, and a welcome addition to the small list of recordings of the Books of Songs complete in one recording and as solo songs. Let's hope for a Third Book of Songs in this format soon.
That is a nice one,
calyptorhynchus. Been streaming it on Apple Music recently.
I posted this on Listening Now thread, but should've shared here.
Les inAttendus is Marianne Muller on bass-viol, and Vincent Lhermet on accordion, and their new album includes works from Hume, East, Gibbons, Tidrow, Bull, Hersant, and of course Dowland. I don't have a Dowland clip to share, but here they are performing Tobias Hume
What Greater Grief , and
Gaillard from Orlando Gibbons.
https://www.youtube.com/v/8lhDdiv0j-w&start_radio=1&list=RD8lhDdiv0j-w&t=126
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71mwJyUAocL._SL1200_.jpg)(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71HmboepcRL._SL1200_.jpg)
Quote from: calyptorhynchus on November 14, 2018, 11:18:01 AM
(https://d27t0qkxhe4r68.cloudfront.net/t_300/635212055328.jpg?1534493841)
A very nice recording that has just come out, and a welcome addition to the small list of recordings of the Books of Songs complete in one recording and as solo songs. Let's hope for a Third Book of Songs in this format soon.
I don't like her voice! But that's such a personal thing it's hardly worth stating.
Quote from: Mandryka on November 15, 2018, 07:53:52 AM
I don't like her voice! But that's such a personal thing it's hardly worth stating.
I know, I'm very fussy about voices (and because I'm a poet I'm very sensitive to poor lyrics, so what with those two bugs I barely listen to vocal music). When the range gets high for Grace Davidson on this CD she becomes less intelligible. However, I know the lyrics of these songs so well that isn't much of a problem for me (and the CD does have the full lyrics).
Just thinking, does anyone know of a discography of Elizabethan song books? All I can find online are pages listing disks by individual artists or individual composers.
I'm wanting a list of complete or near complete recordings of Elizabethan song books. I have five or six such disks in my collection, was just wondering if there are any others.
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f53/20/07/67/52/515ark10.jpg)
He's got an adorable low voice, he sings in a refined and expressive way, the accompaniment, whether by lute or by consort, is gorgeous. Worth worth a listen when you're in the mood.
It's a bit like renaissance music as easy listening I think, your granny would love it, but that's not necessarily a bad thing at all.
Frederiksen is one of the very few low voices who have done this repertory, if I am not mistaken.
Yes, here's a baritone singing from times gone by
https://www.youtube.com/v/A_Qo9sm9rp0
And get this, very nice one for bass and soprano
https://www.youtube.com/v/8ze90W7xi5A
from this
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81k8nuw+lEL._SS500_.jpg)
Which Dowland song recordings are the least opera-y? I wanna drown in a dizzy afternoon of melancholy.
Quote from: milk on June 24, 2020, 08:20:38 PM
Which Dowland song recordings are the least opera-y? I wanna drown in a dizzy afternoon of melancholy.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/36/Songs_from_the_Labyrinth.jpg)
Quote from: Mandryka on June 24, 2020, 09:25:19 PM
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/36/Songs_from_the_Labyrinth.jpg)
That's not what I was expecting!
I'm really into the Hilliard Dowland disc on EMI. Beautiful songs. Now I want more. What are some essential Dowland recordings? For the lute music I've been looking at Nigel North's set on Naxos. What about the viol consort music and the like?
Everyone says that this is interesting because of something special in Hopkinson Smith's approach to the lute, but I'm not noticing any of that, I just love the timbre of Mariana Flores's voice
(https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/54ffb18fe4b03f6b1065699d/1568660331104-GWZIAV8HJ1VZ8Z2R3GFG/E8941+Dowland+Mariana+Flor%C3%A8s+Hopkinson+Smith+%281%29.jpg?content-type=image%2Fjpeg)
Quote from: vers la flamme on September 04, 2020, 01:56:08 AM
I'm really into the Hilliard Dowland disc on EMI. Beautiful songs. Now I want more. What are some essential Dowland recordings? For the lute music I've been looking at Nigel North's set on Naxos. What about the viol consort music and the like?
One thing I would say is this: when you're deciding on recordings of the Lachrimae you need to decide whether you want all seven of them played as a continuous cycle, or whether you want to have other pieces interleaved.
(https://i.postimg.cc/jSptY2hx/R-598868-1136760197-jpeg.jpg)
Akkerman, best known as one-half of the main force behind the Dutch rock group Focus,
has phenomenal technique, and there are three Dowland pieces on this eclectic record: Britannia 3:55, The Earl Of Derby, His Galliard 1:36, and A Galliard 1:31.
Unfortunately, he hasn't done anything much of interest post-1981 or so.
Quote from: Mandryka on September 07, 2020, 11:58:30 PM
One thing I would say is this: when you're deciding on recordings of the Lachrimae you need to decide whether you want all seven of them played as a continuous cycle, or whether you want to have other pieces interleaved.
Well, what are my options? I've been looking at the Savall.
Quote from: vers la flamme on September 04, 2020, 01:56:08 AM
I'm really into the Hilliard Dowland disc on EMI. Beautiful songs. Now I want more. What are some essential Dowland recordings? For the lute music I've been looking at Nigel North's set on Naxos. What about the viol consort music and the like?
12 cd box from Decca will get you started:
[asin]B000004CYV[/asin]
Quote from: vers la flamme on September 08, 2020, 01:56:19 AM
I've been looking at the Savall.
The opening Lachrimae fantasy is one of the great great moments of viol music on record, it is unforgettable, it grabs you by the throat.
The rest may not quite live up to this auspicious beginning, but it is nonetheless an outstanding disc, both for the colourful and melting viols and, most of all, for José Miguel Morino's lute. I'd say that the lute contribution is the best I can remember hearing, full of life. The approach to making the viols make musical phrases is the same throughout all the fantasies, but Savall is very aware that each piece has its own mood - it's not just a sequence of seven sad movements, far from it. It is very well recorded.
Savall intersperses the Lachrimae with various jolly things by Dowland, galiards. But these days that probably isn't an issue, you can create your own tracklist out of the CD if that way inclined.
Quote from: vers la flamme on September 08, 2020, 01:56:19 AM
Well, what are my options?
Too many, Savall is a good place to start I think.
Quote from: Mandryka on September 08, 2020, 10:03:13 AM
The opening Lachrimae fantasy is one of the great great moments of viol music on record, it is unforgettable, it grabs you by the throat.
The rest may not quite live up to this auspicious beginning, but it is nonetheless an outstanding disc, both for the colourful and melting viols and, most of all, for José Miguel Morino's lute. I'd say that the lute contribution is the best I can remember hearing, full of life. The approach to making the viols make musical phrases is the same throughout all the fantasies, but Savall is very aware that each piece has its own mood - it's not just a sequence of seven sad movements, far from it. It is very well recorded.
Savall intersperses the Lachrimae with various jolly things by Dowland, galiards. But these days that probably isn't an issue, you can create your own tracklist out of the CD if that way inclined.
Too many, Savall is a good place to start I think.
Sold. Sounds amazing! I'll try and find it cheaply, but I'm curious, is the Astrée recording the same thing as the one that was released later on AliaVox?
@Ras, that looks killer!
Quote from: Ras on September 08, 2020, 05:07:16 AM
12 cd box from Decca will get you started:
[asin]B000004CYV[/asin]
Absolutely indispensable - notably for the songs.
Q
Quote from: vers la flamme on September 08, 2020, 02:55:46 PM
Sold. Sounds amazing! I'll try and find it cheaply, but I'm curious, is the Astrée recording the same thing as the one that was released later on AliaVox?
@Ras, that looks killer!
I think so.
(https://www.hbdirect.com/coverm/thumbnails/8216116219478.pt01.jpg). (https://capelladeministrers.com/media/com_hikashop/upload/thumbnails/500x500f/cdm1947_cover.jpg)
Released in January and then promptly forgotten about by me, revisiting this film soundtrack this after, it's a corker. Some of this judgement is something personal: Delia Agúndez has a voice which reminds me of Birgit Nilsson, which suits me very nicely. You either like the timbre or you don't, no point in arguing. Me, when I listen to her, I feel like I'm being showered with diamonds.
But there's another thing: lute playing by someone called Robert Cases. Very distinctive and thoughtful. And Carles Magraner on viol is pretty special. The whole team is wonderful in fact, and they play as a team too. Altogether a hit, this.
What are my options on record for the third book of songs? Rooley obviously, but is there anything else?
It's not complete, I think, but Paul Agnew has one disc with some songs from the 3rd book (Metronome) and AFAIR I liked all three of Agnew's discs with Dowland and contemporaries.
Quote from: Jo498 on January 28, 2022, 02:39:33 AM
It's not complete, I think, but Paul Agnew has one disc with some songs from the 3rd book (Metronome) and AFAIR I liked all three of Agnew's discs with Dowland and contemporaries.
Thanks. I'll definitely check Agnew out.
Has anyone who posts here explored these songs critically? I wonder if Dowland's style changes.
(I'm dipping in to Rooley's Bk 3 today.)
No; it's been a while that I listened to them or was "into" that music and I usually had listened mixed Elizabethan lute song recitals, often not just Dowland, so I never paid any attention to chronology.
There are three modern complete lute-music cycles, by messers North, Lindberg and O'Dette. However an earlier complete lute music collection was issued in 1980 on 5 LPs by Oiseaux-Lyre. The players were Anthony Rooley, Anthony Bailes, Christopher Wilson, and the young Lindberg and North.
(https://i.discogs.com/By9eP96ffLe6o2pux5aTC65wVZ3N09SOebY-CO32Usg/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:375/w:370/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTIyMjA4/NjAtMTI3MDkwOTUw/My5qcGVn.jpeg)
These LPs were never reissued on CD, but I have discovered that many (perhaps all) of the tracks are on Youtube and you can listen to them there, eg
I'm listening to some of my favourites at the moment. They seem very mellow and relaxed, but I haven't been paying attention to which player is playing each track, so it might just be a characteristic of some of the players, not the collection as a whole.
Quote from: calyptorhynchus on May 15, 2023, 06:39:15 PMThese LPs were never reissued on CD
I beg to differ, good sir - you're probably right that the lute music was never reissued on its own, but it was part of the 12-disc Collected Works (which sits happily on my "Favourite Recordings" shelf for my descendants to throw away when I die (a sentiment I'm sure Dowland would have approved of).) Like those other fine old Oiseau-Lyre
intégrales (Dufay, Ockeghem), it's long been unavailable as a physical product. And in fact, the LP versions of the song books were more "complete" than the CDs, since some cuts were made in the transfers, presumably due to space issues on early CDs - the odd verse missing here and there (which don't appear to have been restored in the download versions, although doubtless they could be).
Quote from: DaveF on May 16, 2023, 12:13:25 AMI beg to differ, good sir - you're probably right that the lute music was never reissued on its own, but it was part of the 12-disc Collected Works (which sits happily on my "Favourite Recordings" shelf for my descendants to throw away when I die (a sentiment I'm sure Dowland would have approved of).) Like those other fine old Oiseau-Lyre intégrales (Dufay, Ockeghem), it's long been unavailable as a physical product. And in fact, the LP versions of the song books were more "complete" than the CDs, since some cuts were made in the transfers, presumably due to space issues on early CDs - the odd verse missing here and there (which don't appear to have been restored in the download versions, although doubtless they could be).
Good to hear, I think that the issue with songs being cut was that they were trying to put the LPs on to fewer CDs, as even the earliest CDs held more music than an LP. I never bought that set because the Consort of Music performances of the songs didn't appeal as... [lowers voice to a whisper before uttering a blasphemy] I don't really like Emma Kirkby's voice.
Quote from: calyptorhynchus on May 16, 2023, 06:24:32 PMI don't really like Emma Kirkby's voice.
:o :o :o Well, it's distinctive, certainly - I must admit to being a fan, although much less so of David Thomas, whose appeal I could never really understand.