Dowland's first book of songs, published in 1597, was a bestseller, reprinted five times, and initiated a 25-year trend for English lute songs.
Composer Biography
John Dowland, a renowned composer and lutenist, longed for a position at Queen Elizabeth's court but was only appointed lutenist under King James I late in his life.
Compositional Technique
Dowland's first book of songs allowed for flexible instrumentation, stating that all parts could be sung together or separately with a lute, orpharion, or viol de gamba.
Critical Reception
Even a famous composer like John Dowland feared malicious critics, as he expressed in the preface to his Third and Last Booke of Songs or Aires.
Composer's Artistic Vision
In his later work, A Pilgrim's Solace, Dowland, at around 50 years old, turned inward towards religion and personal reflection.
Composer Biography
John Dowland worked in Denmark under King Christian IV from 1598 to 1606, but was eventually dismissed for unclear reasons.
Interpretation
For this recording, Ensemble Phoenix Munich chose Renaissance viols (Viola da gambas) and up to three lutes, using varying combinations of timbre.
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