Semper Dowland

I’ll be there

by David Fallows

Dowland had it all. The five-voice pavans and dances in his Lachrimae show that he was an effortless master of counterpoint. His lute-songs give evidence that he was a poet at the very height of the best Elizabethan writers (we are not certain how many of the poems are his, but there are enough of them otherwise unknown for us to be able to put him absolutely on the top shelf). His lute music shows a combination of virtuosity and sheer direct communication to put him with the best and most communicative instrumental composers of his day. A concert entirely devoted to his music must be the best possible way of celebrating his life. Come along and enjoy.

All pieces are compsosed by John Dowland (1563–1626).

1 Semper Dowland semper dolens  

Lachrimæ, or Seaven Teares figured in Seaven passionate Pavans, with divers other Pavans, Galiards and Almands, set forth for the Lute, Viols, or Violons, in five parts, London: John Windet, 1604, Nr. 8   

2 Sleep, waiward thoughts  

The First Booke of Songes or Ayres of fowre partes with Tableture for the Lute: So made that all the partes together, or either of them seuerally may be song to the Lute, Orpherian, or Viol de gambo, London: Peter Short, 1597, Nr. 13 

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3 Goe nightly cares, the enemy to rest 

4 From silent night, true register of moanes 

5 Lasso vita mia, mi fa morire  

A Pilgrimes Solace Wherein is contained Musicall Harmonie of 3. 4. and 5. parts, to be sung and plaid with the Lute and Viols, London: Gedruckt für M.L., J.B. und T.S. by the Assignment of William Barley, 1612, Nr. 9–11 

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6 M. Iohn Langtons Pavan  

7 The King of Denmarks Galiard  

8 M. Buctons Galiard  

9 Mistresse Nichols Almand  

Lachrimæ, or Seaven Teares […], Nr. 10, 11, 19, 20  

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10 The Right Honourable the Lady Cliftons Spirit 

Varietie of Lute Lessons, London: Thomas Adams, 1610, fol. Nv–N2 

11 Lord WILLOUGHBY. OR, A true Relation of a Famous and Bloody Battel fought in Flanders, by the Noble / and valiant Lord VVilloughby, with 1500 English, against 40000 Spaniards, / where the English obtained a Notable Victory; for the glory and Renown of / our Nation. To the tune of, Lord Willoughby 

London: Printed for F. Coles, in Vine-Street, near Hatton-Garden, c1624–1680? (British Library – Roxburghe, C.20.f.9.62–63); Melodie nach «Rowland, or Lord Willoughby’s Welcome Home» – William Byrd (c1540–1623); Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum, Mus. Ms. 168 («Fitzwilliam Virginal Book»), Nr. 160 

12 Lord Willoughby’s Welcome Home
London, Royal Academy of Music, MS 602 («Sampson Lute Book», c1610), fol. 11v; Washington, D.C., Folger Shakespeare Library, MS V.b.280 («Dowland Lute Book»), fol. 9v 

13 Can she excuse my wrongs with vertues cloake 

The First Booke of Songes […], Nr. 5 

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14 Lachrimæ antiquæ novæ  

Lachrimæ, or Seaven Teares […], Nr. 2 

15 Flow my teares fall from your springs  

The Second Booke of Songs or Ayres of 2. 4. and 5. parts: With Tableture for the Lute or Orpherian, with the Violl de Gamba, London: Thomas Este 1600, Nr. 2 

 16 Lachrimæ veræ  

Lachrimæ, or Seaven Teares […], Nr. 7 

17 Sir Iohn Souch his Galiard  

Lachrimæ, or Seaven Teares […], Nr. 13 

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18 My Lord Chamberlaine his Galliard 

The First Booke of Songes […], fol. L2v 

19 M. Henry Noel his Galiard  

20 Captain Digorie Piper his Galiard  

21 The Earle of Essex Galiard  

Lachrimæ, or Seaven Teares […], Nr. 14, 18, 12 

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 22 A fancy  

Cambridge, University Library, MS Add. 3056 («Cosens lute book», c1610), fol. 17v–18 / Cambridge, University Library, MS Dd.9.33 («Mathew Holmes lute book», c1600–1605), fol. 6v–7v 

 23 In this trembling shadow  

A Pilgrimes Solace […], Nr. 12 

 

kursiv = instrumental