My favorite Dowland

Featuring

Paul O'Dette
John Dowland

Did you know?

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Performer Biography

Paul O'Dette is also an avid researcher, having published numerous articles on historical performance practice and co-authored the John Dowland entry in the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.

Compositional Technique

John Dowland, the composer, often created lute versions of his music from original 5-part consort works, sometimes abandoning contrapuntal entrances for better playability and flow.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Dowland's willingness to let musical voices enter and disappear in his lute arrangements shows his focus on musical shape over superhuman technical achievement.

Performer Biography

In addition to his performing career, Paul O'Dette is the Artistic Director of the Boston Early Music Festival and has directed Early Music at the Eastman School of Music since 1976.

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.

Recording & Production

This album was recorded in January 2012 at Sauder Hall, Goshen College, Indiana, with Brad Michel as Sessions Producer, Recording Engineer, and Editor.

Interpretation

Paul O'Dette chose to play a larger lute for this recording, tuned one tone below modern pitch (A=392), to provide richness and gravitas for slower pieces and nobility for livelier works.