John Dowland, a famous lutenist and composer featured on this album, publicly rejected Tobias Hume's assertion that the viola da gamba could rival the lute.
Instruments
The lyra-viol, an instrument featured on this album, was distinguished by its use of tablature, specific tuning, and scordatura (alternative tunings), rather than significant physical differences from a standard viol.
Compositional Technique
Robert Jones, a lutenist and composer on this album, was the first English composer to print music for the viol in tablature in 1601, specifically as an accompaniment for vocal parts.
Album & Artwork
The album title, "Come Sorrow," is taken from one of Robert Jones's most beautiful vocal pieces, which suggests embracing grief rather than fleeing from it.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Tobias Hume, a composer on this album, boldly claimed that the viola da gamba could produce music as varied and complex as the lute, a highly esteemed instrument at the time.
Recording & Production
The viola da gamba and renaissance lute used in this recording were custom-made for the project by Judith Kraft and Maurice Ottiger, respectively.
Composer Biography
Alfonso Ferrabosco II, a composer on this album, was an illegitimate child whose talent was so valued that Queen Elizabeth I refused to let him leave England to join his father in Italy.
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