Lachrimae or Seaven Tears

Very relaxing, very pleasant. I leave it playing 24/7 at times.

A high pitched tone appears on and off throughout this disk, which is very annoying. I have hundreds of CD's in my collection and none of them do this. I'm a retired electronic engineer and long-time audiophile, and can assure you that this disk has an obvious manufacturing defect. While the music is lovely and very well-played, this disk is worthless to me, and will end up in the trash. Spare yourself the grief and find another source for Dowland's Lachrimae.

Excellent recording of English period music, very relaxing and wonderfully played and produced. Very pleased thank you:)

Savall's fine rendering of these works is a treasure.

Arrived quickly - as advertised. Transaction just fine - thanks!

This is hypnotic - gamba city and on that one tune by Dowland - sheer magic.

just a fantastic recording

I love

John Downland was a catholic like his elder contemporary William Byrd, Unlike Byrd he lived and worked abroad during the final years of the Elizabethan age. The beautiful pieces on this CD are a musical expression of his somewhat troubled soul.The music is expressive, with a lovely tonality and harmony.Two highlights. The opening track "Lachrimae Antiquae", and "Sir Henry Umptons Funerall".In contrast the CD finishes with two light Almands simpler in construction but nontheless superb compositions.The performance by Hesperion XX is excellent, the recording crystal clear.An outstanding CD.

Excellent recording, featuring a variety of instruments. Very enjoyable listening. Recommended for anyone who likes music from England's great Renaissance composer.

Excellent!

Questo è un cd da ascoltare come un rito. Qui tutto è perfezione e maestosità. Te ne accorgi fin da subito aprendo il cd e gustando la solita certosina precisione dei dettagli a cui la Alia Vox ci ha abituato. Un libretto sontuoso con accuratissime note anche in italiano, foto e artwork di assoluta bellezza. Poi una volta deliziata la vista e la nostra fame di notizie arriva il momento dell'ascolto che ci riserva un piacere assoluto. Un suono pieno, avvolgente, una musica evocativa che rinuncia a ogni forma di leziosismo e enfasi. Una sottile malinconia pervade queste splendide pavane, malinconia che non cede mai il passo a un sentimentalismo di maniera. Pagine di assoluto valore queste di Dowland qui rese in modo semplicemente magistrale. Avevo avuto modo di ascoltare Dowland interpretato da un gigante come Julian Bream, ma questa interpretazione di Savall mi ha aperto nuove prospettive e mi ha permesso di entrare appieno nel clima dell'opera.Incantato.

This is a cd that I thought about for quite some time, before purchasing. While I find Dowland’s music beautifully lyrical and very enjoyable to listen to, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to purchase a whole cd of it, and I also wasn’t sure which performer or performance to go for. In the end, I decided on this one after hearing a track from it played on the radio. I felt that Hesperion XX under Jordi Savall offered a very balanced approach and empathetic approach to Dowland’s music. Other performers may well do the same, but I am very happy with this purchase, having listened to it now several times since I received it.John Dowland was born in 1563, and for some four years between 1580 and 1586 he lived in France. During this time he converted to Catholicism, and after returning to England found himself living after 1588 in an England ruled by Elizabeth I, who was not necessarily inclined to look favourably upon those of the Catholic faith. So Dowland, by now a married man, was unable to find himself a position at Court. Leaving England, he travelled widely through Germany and Italy. He was horrified to find himself caught up in a Papist plot, and returned to England in 1596, but the perceived promise of a post at Court still eluded him. He was to travel again in his life, finding himself a position at the court of King Christian IV of Denmark in 1598. He was dmissed from that post after neglecting his duties, but found on his return to England that his music was not appreciated. He spent the rest of his life composing and working on musical treatises, dying in 1626.The pieces in this collection were gathered together as instrumental ensemble pieces by Dowland between 1603 and 1604, and published under the title “Lachrimae, or seven Teares figured in seven passionate pauans, with diuers other Pauans, gaillards, and Almands, set forth for the Lute, Viols or Violins, in fiue partes: By John Dowland Bacheler of Musicke, and Lutenist to the most Royall and Magificient, Christian the fourth, King of Denmark …”. The music collection is the only one that Dowland ever devoted to the instrumental ensemble, and consiss of 21 pieces for whole consort of viols (two trebles, two tenors and one bass) and lute. The music is utterly wonderful, and seems to have a taste of a slight exoticism, no doubt influenced by Dowland’s wide travels and interesting life.Hesperion XX under Jordi Savall offer a wonderful rendition of these marvellous pieces. The other players are Christophe Coin, Sergi Casademnut, Lorenz Duftschmid, Paolo Pandolfo and Jose Miguel Moreno. The music has been remastered and issued by Alia Vox as a Heritage offering. There is a very nicely presented booklet with the cd, with information on Dowland, his music, pictures of the original publication, and at the back a very interesting section showing other cds available from Alia Vox featuring Jordi Savall. These are always worth hunting out, and it’s good to have them shown in one booklet like this, to be considered. Definitely recommended, this is a wonderful offering of Dowland’s instrumental music performed by masters of the art.