Customer Reviews

Dowland: Lute Songs

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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.

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.

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.