John Dowland's Lachrimæ or Seven Tears cycle of pavans uses the descending tetrachord as a recurring melodic motif, which serves as his musical signature.
Composition History
The Lachrimæ or Seven Tears cycle was published in London in 1604 and dedicated to Queen Anne, who was the wife of King James I and sister of Dowland's patron, Christian IV of Denmark.
Historical Context
During Dowland's time, England experienced significant religious and political turmoil, including the split from the Roman Catholic Church, the Protestant Reformation, and the establishment of the Church of England.
Historical Context
The period in which Dowland lived saw an 'epidemic of melancholy,' a syndrome perceived as an incurable disturbance of the spirit and a status symbol, with influential treatises written on the subject.
Composition History
The Lachrimæ cycle was innovative in that its seven pavans, each with a title, were conceived as a unified cycle, whose full meaning remains a mystery.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The Lachrimæ cycle describes an enigmatic journey through various emotional states, from 'Old Tears' to 'True Tears', reflecting a quest for truth through musical lament.
Composer Biography
A letter from Dowland reveals his anxiety for his safety and that of his family after he disobeyed authorities by traveling to Italy, a forbidden pilgrimage for a likely Catholic at the time.
