Search - John Dowland, Matthew Locke, Tubb :: Earth, Water, Air & Fire - A New Look At John Dowland And Friends / Rooley, Consort Of Musicke

Although Henry Purcell usually is cited as the greatest master of English text-setting, such judgments ignore the genius of John Dowland, whose music not only is totally accordant with its texts, but whose melodies are invariably memorable and eminently singable. This recording offers a variety of vocal works, most for mixed voices, accompanied by Anthony Rooley's well-tuned and tastefully realized lute figures. Of the program's 18 songs, 11 are by Dowland; the rest are by several contemporaries--Morley, Tomkins, and Weelkes--who both encouraged and were influenced by Dowland's unique musical persona, a remarkable combination of "distraught melancholy" and flawless melodic and harmonic instincts. Familiar and beloved tunes are here, including "Come again!" and "Sleep wayward thoughts." But just as compelling are Tomkins's "Weep no more, thou sorry boy" and Claudin de Sermisy's "Las, je m'y plains." The four voices--some of England's finest early-music singers--are so distinct that rather than a carefully blended ensemble, we hear each individual voice clearly defined. It's an interesting effect that works well and adds immeasurably to the color and mood of the music. --David Vernier