Robert Johnson wrote songs and music for plays by Shakespeare, Beaumont and Fletcher, and Webster, as part of his work with The Lord Chamberlaine's Men.
Composition History
Robert Johnson's most popular piece, The Prince's Almain, was written for his pupil, Henry, Prince of Wales, and survives in over sixteen versions.
Performer Biography
Nigel North, the lutenist on this recording, was initially inspired by the 1960s instrumental pop group The Shadows and is now Professor of Lute at Indiana University.
Historical Context
After his father's death, Robert Johnson was cared for by Sir George Carey, who became Lord Chamberlain and patron of Shakespeare's acting company, influencing Johnson's artistic development.
Compositional Technique
Robert Johnson's music, unlike his father's or John Dowland's, is more 'baroque' in its lyrical, expansive style and often features two polarized voices, exploiting the extreme ranges of the nine-course lute.
Recording & Production
The lute used in this recording is a 10-course lute, a modern instrument made in 2005 by Lars Jönsson, modeled after a Hans Frei lute.
Composer Biography
Robert Johnson, the composer of these lute pieces, was an esteemed musician at the courts of Prince Henry (son of King James I) and King James.
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