The Sirius Viols, a viola da gamba ensemble, were gathered by Hille Perl to feature her favorite instrument and players, emphasizing solidarity and individual artistic freedom over hierarchy.
Historical Context
The rise in popularity of the lute song in England during this period can be related to the broader European musical shift towards word-orientated writing, exemplified by Claudio Monteverdi in Italy.
Composition History
Most of the music on this recording is by John Dowland, composed around the turn of the 16th century, with works by William Byrd being the earliest and Thomas Campion's the latest.
Performer Biography
Lee Santana, the lutenist, moved to Europe in 1984 and has since focused on player-composers of the 17th and 18th centuries, refusing to conform to postmodern 'new' music clichés.
Performer Biography
Julian Podger, the tenor on this recording, specializes in music from medieval to baroque, particularly Dowland's lute song repertoire, Monteverdi's church music, and Bach's evangelist roles.
Album & Artwork
The album's songs and instrumental pieces are arranged to tell an imagined story of love found, lost, and rediscovered, culminating in a celebration of an 'equal yoke'.
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