Episodes
Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | 01 | Thwarted Ambition | 20180219 | Like many writers, musicians and artists of Elizabethan times, the composer and virtuoso lute player John Dowland imbued his art-form with an exquisite melancholy. The beauty and simplicity of the melodic lines he created enchanted not only his contemporaries but also composers and performers of recent years. Donald Macleod introduces a selection of Dowland's own songs and lute pieces plus the first of two pieces by Benjamin Britten featured this week, based on one of Dowland's most popular songs and written for another virtuoso - Julian Bream. Mrs Winter's Jump (arr Claire van Kampen) Musicians of Shakespeare's Globe Flow my tears Iestyn Davies (countertenor), Thomas Dunford (lute) My Lady Hunsdon's Puffe; Sir John Smith's Almaine; Farwell Julian Bream (lute) Sleep wayward thoughts; Come away, come sweet love; Come again, sweet love doth now invite Consort of Musicke Come heavy sleep Britten: Nocturnal Sean Shibe (guitar). Donald Macleod introduces the composer John Dowland, and those influenced by his melodies. |
2018 | 02 | Dowland Spreads His Wings | 20180220 | Dowland may not have succeeded in his wish to obtain a court appointment in England but his skills as a skilled lutenist spread abroad and in 1598 he took up an appointment at the Court of Christian IV of Denmark where he was one of the highest paid members of the household. His 'Second Book of Songs' was published two years later. Donald Macleod introduces some pieces from that collection performed by a Canadian group who give Dowland's songs a decidedly celtic twist, more of his distinctive lute pieces and a piano arrangement of one of his most popular songs by Percy Grainger. Frog Galliard Paul O'Dette (lute) arr. Jacob van Eyck: Can she excuse Nathalie Marec (soprano) Bruno Boterf (tenor) Les Witches My Lord Willobies wellcome home The Lady Laiton's Almone Orlando sleepeth Mrs White's Nothing Go from my windowe Mistris Whittes Thinge Paul O'Dette (lute and orpharion) My Lord Chamberlain his Galliard Paul O'Dette, Jakob Lindberg (lute) I saw my lady weepe Ellen Hargis (soprano) Shepherd in a Shade His Golden Locks Clear or Cloudy O Sweet Woods Fine Knacks for Ladies Michael Slattery (tenor) La Nef Percy Grainger: Now O now, I needs must part Piers Lane (piano). Donald Macleod presents, as Dowland takes up an appointment at the Court of Denmark. |
2018 | 03 | The Third And Last Booke Of Songs | 20180221 | Dowland still had his post in the Danish Court where his lute-playing skills were handsomely rewarded but he lost any chance to obtain the post he so desperately wanted in Elizabeth's court when she died in 1603, just before the publication of his third book of songs. Donald Macleod introduces a selection from that collection whose words contain extravagant tributes to the Queen, and another of Benjamin Britten's works inspired by Dowland poignant melodies. Semper Dowland semper dolens (arr. Christian Lindberg) Stockholm Chamber Brass What if I never speed I must complain Away with these self-loving lads To ask for all thy love Say, Love, if ever thou didst find Mark Padmore (tenor) Elizabeth Kenny (lute) The Shoemaker's Wife Sir John Langton's Pavan Captain Digorie Piper his Galliard Forlorn Hope Fancy Nigel North (lute) Britten: Lachrymae Op.48a Maxim Rysanov (viola) BBC Symphony Orchestra Conductor, Edward Gardner Paduana Lachrimae (transcr. Byrd) Colin Tilney (harpsichord). Donald Macleod introduces tributes to the Queen in Dowland's latest collection. |
2018 | 04 | Lachrimae | 20180222 | Dowland's latest publication, which appeared in 1604, was his only collection of entirely instrumental works, famous for the seven deeply felt consort pieces linked by the same falling 'tear' motif. Donald Macleod introduces this important set plus a selection of dances which appear in the same collection, and an intriguing arrangement of some of Dowland's songs by the French jazz guitarist and composer David Chevallier. Wilt thou unkind thus reave me Sting (vocals) Edin Karamazov (lute) DG 177 9890 T17 M. George Whitehead his Almand The Earl of Essex his Galliard Sir Henry Umpton's Funerall The King of Denmark's Galliard Fretwork Christopher Wilson (lute) All ye, whom Love or Fortune (arr. Chevallier) The lowest trees have tops (arr. Chevallier) Anne Magouet (soprano) David Chevallier (guitar) Bruno Helstroffer (theorbo) Lachrimae or Seven Tears Phantasm Elizabeth Kenny (lute). Donald Macleod introduces a set of consort pieces which grew out of a single pavan. |
2018 | 05 LAST | Recognition | 20180223 | In 1612, the same year that saw his last publication, Dowland finally got his heart's desire when he was given a royal appointment as one of King James I's lutes. Donald Macleod introduces a group of devotional songs from what would prove to be Dowland's last collection, plus a response from a contemporary composer to a song widely regarded as Dowland's finest. The Right Honourable The Lord Viscount Lisle, his Galliard Paul O'Dette (lute) In Darkness Let Me Dwell Robin Blaze (countertenor) Elizabeth Kenny (lute) Thomas Ad耀s: Darknesse Visible Inon Barnatan (piano) If that a sinner's sighs Thou mighty God When David's Life When the poor cripple Consort of Musicke Lady Riches galyerd The Right Honourable Ferdinando Earle of Darby, his Galliard The most sacred Queen Elizabeth, her Galliard Tarletones riserrectione Loth to Depart Go nightly cares Andreas Scholl (countertenor) Julian Behr (lute). Dowland finally gets his heart's desire when he receives an appointment at James' court. |