Born in 1626, John Dowland was an English Renaissance composer, lutenist, and singer, often regarded as one of the greatest masters of the lute song. His melancholic music, filled with deep emotional expression, perfectly captures the mood of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. His famous works include the Bookes of Songes or Ayres and Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares, featuring pieces like "Flow my tears" and "Come heavy sleep". Dowland's compositions are characterized by their exquisite balance between poignant vocal melodies and intricate lute accompaniments, as well as his virtuosic solo lute pieces, which are still staples in the repertoire today.
CD 1 ‘Ayres’ Dowland Ayres (Hilliard Ensemble, Pro Cantione Antiqua, The King’s Singers)
CD 2 ‘Treasures from my minde’ Dowland Songs and instrumental pieces (Virelai)
CD 3 ‘Farewell, Unkind’ Dowland Songs & Dances (The Boston Camerata, Joel Cohen)
CD 4 ‘The English Orpheus’ Dowland: Songs for voice and lute (Emma Kirkby, Anthony Rooley, Alfred Deller, Desmond Dupré)
CD 5 ‘Sweet stay awhile’ Dowland Songs and Lute Pieces (Charles Daniels, David Miller, Philippe Jaroussky, Thibaut Garcia)
CD 6 ‘Songs for tenor and lute’ Dowland Songs for tenor and lute (Nigel Rogers, Paul O’Dette, Anthony Bailes, Jordi Savall)
CD 7 ‘Lachrimae’ Dowland Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares Pavans; Dances from Lachrimae (Fretwork, Christopher Wilson, Michael Chance)
CD 8 ‘Instrumental Works’ Dowland Instrumental Works (Gustav Leonhardt, Jean Rondeau, David Munrow, Óscar Cáceres, Betho Davezac)
CD 9 ‘Dowland & His Contemporaries’ Rosa: Elizabethan Lute Music (Christopher Wilson); Elizabethan Lute Songs (James Bowman, Robert Spencer)
CD 10 ‘Dowland & His Contemporaries’ ‘What then is love?’ An Elizabethan Songbook (The Boston Camerata, Joel Cohen)
