5 part consort music of the 17th century from England
The heart of viol music is the consort literature from England.
Witty, sparkling, endowed with an unusual sense of humour, but also sinking into the deep darkness of great emotions - all these qualities are often and readily attributed to the British by their neighbouring mainlanders.
Inspired by the Italian madrigal art of the Renaissance, the islanders developed a unique musical style in the 16th and 17th centuries. Bold harmonies, sudden changes of volume, tempo and time signature, daring melodic turns and an extremely complex wealth of ideas are the building blocks of this music, which we still have the impression today is far ahead of its time.
"Tears of the muses" is the title of a galliard published by Anthony Holborne in his collection of dance movements such as Pavans, Allemandes, Galliards. Holborne was held in the highest esteem by his contemporaries. John Dowland, for example, dedicated the song "I saw my lady weep" to him.
Dowland cries no less than seven times in his famous "Lachrimae". "Lachrimae amantis" is the 6th of the "passionate pavans", in which Dowland confesses, however, that tears can be cried not only from sadness but also from joy.
Cast: 5 viols
Music: John Dowland, Anthony Holborne, Michael East, John Coprario a.o.