BaL 28.10.17 - Dowland: Lachrimæ or Seven Tears

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

0930
Building a Library on Lachrimæ or Seven Tears with Kirsten Gibson. This collection of instrumental music was composed by John Dowland. It was published in 1604 when Dowland was employed as lutenist to Christian IV of Denmark. Dowland points out in his dedication that there are different types of tears. "The teares which Musicke weeps" can be pleasant: "neither are teares shed always in sorrow but sometime in joy and gladnesse".

Available versions:

Daedalus Ensemble, Roberto Festa
Fretwork
Gambe di Legno Consort
Musica Antiqua Köln, Reinhard Goebel
Ellen Hargis, Paul O'Dette & King's Noyse, David Douglass
John Holloway
The Parley of Instruments, Peter Holman
Elizabeth Kenny (lute) Phantasm, Laurence Dreyfus
Dowland Consort, Jakob Lindberg
Hathor Consort, Romina Lischka
Consort of Musicke, Anthony Rooley
Hespèrion XX, Jordi Savall

[Richard Tarleton]

Thank you for this Alpie - such riches in a shortish list. It should be fascinating, the sort of BAL one can really learn from. I have just two versions - Fretwork, and the Consort of Musicke - and shall be open to additions . I see Dr Gibson did her PhD on Dowland.

[Joseph K]

Attended a performance of this by Phantasm last year and have had my eye on their recording for a while now...

[BBMmk2]

I can't believe this! John Dowland's great work being a BaL! I have Fretwork, so I hope they get the accolade!

[silvestrione]

Yes, I am delighted to see they are doing this work.

Is there not a John Holloway version:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pavans-Fantasies-Dowland-John-Holloway/dp/B00I87XAP4

[Richard Tarleton]

I do so hope she's allowed to do a solo effort

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Yes, I am delighted to see they are doing this work.

Is there not a John Holloway version:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pavans-Fant.../dp/B00I87XAP4

I did jot this down, but I'm wondering whether it really is a one-man show?

[subcontrabass]

I did jot this down, but I'm wondering whether it really is a one-man show?

The track listings give the performers as " Monika Baer & Susanna Hefti & John Holloway & Renate Steinmann & Martin Zeller"

[silvestrione]

The track listings give the performers as " Monika Baer & Susanna Hefti & John Holloway & Renate Steinmann & Martin Zeller"

I have it, it's a version for violins, viola, and bass violin.

[Serial_Apologist]

Yes, I am delighted to see they are doing this work.

Is there not a John Holloway version:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pavans-Fant.../dp/B00I87XAP4

There is, of course, Benjy Britten's famous remix.

[BBMmk2]

There is, of course, Benjy Britten's famous remix.

Oh no!!!

[Richard Tarleton]

In the Consort of Musicke version you get the 7 Lachrimae pavans straight (disc 6 tracks 8-14 in their complete Dowland), followed by the other 14 pieces from the 1604 publication in more or less the right order. In the Fretwork set you get the pavans interspersed with fantasias by Byrd on disc 2. Their disc 1 contains the 14 other pieces, interspersed with In nomines and songs by Byrd. So more of a concept album. I know which I prefer. I'm not keen on the countertenor vocals on Fretwork's disc 1, especially the Lullaby which I'm afraid has me fast-forwarding.

[Richard Barrett]

In the Consort of Musicke version you get the 7 Lachrimae pavans straight (disc 6 tracks 8-14 in their complete Dowland), followed by the other 14 pieces from the 1604 publication in more or less the right order. In the Fretwork set you get the pavans interspersed with fantasias by Byrd on disc 2. Their disc 1 contains the 14 other pieces, interspersed with In nomines and songs by Byrd. So more of a concept album. I know which I prefer. I'm not keen on the countertenor vocals on Fretwork's disc 1, especially the Lullaby which I'm afraid has me fast-forwarding.

I agree. Some people seem to have a problem with playing seven slow and otherwise quite similar pieces in sequence. I think it's as good as any way to hear them. I often have my doubts about the Fretwork way of doing things anyway. I recently heard the recording by the Hathor Consort which I found very beautiful indeed. Normally I'd expect Jordi Savall to be my favourite in repertoire like this, but I couldn't get on with his recording, maybe it's because the pitch is too high, it sounds like A440.

[Pulcinella]

Is the Fretwork 'set' a re-jigging?
I have separate Byrd and Dowland releases on the old Virgin Veritas label:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Byrd-Consort-Music-William/dp/B000025FC0/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1508588653&sr=1-1&keywords=Byrd+fretwork

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dowland-Lachrimae-John/dp/B000025GPD/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1508588784&sr=1-1&keywords=Dowland+fretwork

[MickyD]

I've always had a fondness for the BIS/Lindberg version, but will be fascinated also to hear how Holman and Goebel fare. I would like another recording to add to the one version I currently have, one that sheds new light on the pieces.