John Dowland, the composer, often created lute versions of his music from original 5-part consort works, sometimes simplifying counterpoint for playability.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Dowland prioritized musical shape over superhuman technical achievement, avoiding awkward contortions and thick textures to ensure musical flow and phrasing.
Performer Biography
Paul O'Dette is a prolific recording artist with over 130 recordings, several of which have been nominated for a Gramophone Award and five for the Grammy® Award.
Historical Context
Sixteenth-century lute performers often grouped individual pieces into 'suites' of contrasting character, meter, and style, with the arrangement left to the performer's discretion.
Performer Biography
Paul O'Dette is not only a performer but also the Artistic Director of the Boston Early Music Festival and Director of Early Music at the Eastman School of Music since 1976.
Interpretation
For this recording, Paul O'Dette used a larger lute and tuned it a whole tone below modern pitch (A = 392) to enhance the richness and gravitas of the music.
Performer Biography
Paul O'Dette, the lutenist on this album, has been called 'the clearest case of genius ever to touch his instrument' by the Toronto Globe and Mail.
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