Dowland: Lute Songs [Import]

John Dowland (Composer), Alfred Deller (Performer), Consort of Six (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Alfred Deller, Consort of Six
• Composer: John Dowland
• Audio CD (October 14, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
• ASIN: B0000AOVOL
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #420,195 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Flow, my tears, fall from your springs, for 2 voices & lute (Second Book of Songs)

2. Work(s): [Unspecified] Galliard

3. Lady Laiton's Almain, for lute, P 48

4. Fortune My Foe, song arranged for lute, P 62

5. The Frog Galliard, for lute, P 23

6. Weep you no more, sad fountains, for 4 voices & lute (Third Book of Songs)

7. Me, me, and none but me, for 4 voices & lute (Third Book of Songs)

8. What if I never speed?, for 4 voices & lute (Third Book of Songs)

9. Lasso vita mia, mi fa morire, for voice, trumpet, bass viols & lute (A Pilgrimes Solace)

10. The Shoemaker's Wife, a Toy, for lute, P 58

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Come again, sweet love doth now invite, for 4 voices & lute (First Book of Songs)

2. I saw my lady weep, for 2 voices & lute (Second Book of Song)

3. Orlando Sleepeth, arrangement for lute, P 61

4. Tarleton's Resurrection, for lute, P 59

5. Sir John Smith, his Almain, for lute, P 47

6. Mrs White's Nothing, for lute, P 56

7. My Lord Chamberlain his Galliard, for 2 to play on 1 lute, P 37

8. From silent night, true register of moans, for voice, trumpet, bass viols & lute (A Pilgrimes Solace)

9. Flow not so fast ye fountains, for 4 voices & lute (Third Book of Songs)

10. My Lord Willoughby's Welcome Home, for lute, P 66

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a voice teacher and early music fan, October 28, 2006

By 

George Peabody "Ariel" (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Dowland: Lute Songs (Audio CD)

EXCELLENT COLLECTION OF LUTE SONGS SUNG BY THE PIONEER OF THE FALSETTO VOICE!
John Dowland is valued today as the first English composer of solo songs, mostly because no one in England has exceeded his output; he may have been equalled by Purcell. However, his distinctive blend of poem, melody and harmony remains unsurpassed. In addition, by underplaying the role of the voice, the listener's attention is directed to the poem. This de-emphasis of the voice was favoured by Elizabethans who relished the new-minted language of Shakepeare's contemporaries.

Dowland has his brighter side, but his music is preponderantly melancholy. "Lachrimae" became his signature tune. The accompanying group 'The Consort of Six' was a peculiarly English invention of the 1580's. Six different instruments-treble and bass viols, flute, lute, cittern and bandora; it was in fact the first orchestra. The titles of the instrumental pieces give us some idea of the wide range of society in which Dowland moved; very "upper class".

John Dowland was typical of composers of that time in that he earned his living by playing, and he was very much sought after by both amateurs and professionals. Alfred Deller, the most legendary of countertenors issued the very essence of melancholy of the 17th century English songs. One has to mention that he was a primary influence in the development of the countertenor voice and as such was a performer who traveled all over the world showing to all that this voice was to be looked upon and accepted as an authentic and singular entity in itself, to which I totally agree. Therefore, he paved the way for an entire generation of singers such as James Bowman, Michael Chance, David Daniels, Gerard Lesne and Phillipe Jarousky to name only a few.

This recording is a landmark in music; the singing is skilled; the accompaniment superb and the song selection significant.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A marvelous interpretation!, July 5, 2005

By 

Alexandre A. G. Salva "alexandreags" (Salto, SP Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dowland: Lute Songs (Audio CD)

This is a superb CD set. Deller is amazing and the Lute Songs have deep feelings, that send us to immemorial ages... If you love old sacred music you must have this Set.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, January 16, 2012

By 

Tim Jones (Colorado) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dowland: Lute Songs (Audio CD)

If you want to add Dowland Voice to your collection, this 2cd set is it! Excellent! I noticed the style was prevalent even in other countries, but Dowland has a certain magic. And you won't find this on most Early Music Internet radio that I listen to.