DowlandDowland celebrates the story of one of the most important composers to emerge from early modern England. This book contextualizes the geographical, political, religious, cultural, and musical aspects of the life of John Dowland (1563-1626). It provides a window into life as a musician in the Elizabethan-Jacobean era, illuminating the importance of social, courtly, and academic connections as it closely explores the composer's musical compositions. During his lifetime, Dowland was well-known for his prowess as a performing lutenist who established a reputation not only in England, but also in the German and Italian lands, Denmark, and beyond. His lute solos and duos survive in manuscripts collected across Europe. He also issued four books of lute song-ayres, including the most successful secular music anthology of the era, one collection of consort music, and a theoretical translation, all printed in London. In these publications, Dowland utilized innovative print formats and set new standards for contemporary genres. Collectively, Dowland's compositions and writings present the self-styled image of a man always seeking more. This book places these activities within a biographical timeline of ongoing artistic, commercial, and reputational pursuits. As a complete record, Dowland captures the entrepreneurial resourcefulness of the foremost musician of his day, a performing composer who understood expected conventions, seized opportunities, and created a musical legacy that still stands firm 400 years after his death. |
Contents
Part Navigating the Continent | 43 |
Part Serving Two Nations | 105 |
Part Returning Home | 161 |
Epilogue | 211 |
APPENDIX A John Dowland Letter to Robert Cecil 10 November 1595 | 213 |
APPENDIX B Calendar | 217 |
APPENDIX C Select List of Works | 219 |
APPENDIX D Personalia | 225 |
Notes | 229 |
| 253 | |
| 257 | |
| 261 | |
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Common terms and phrases
almain anthology Anthony Rooley Booke of Psalmes Booke of Songs Catholic Christian Christian IV Cobham collection composer compositions consort courtier courtly daler dance Daniel Bacheler Danish Dawn Grapes dedicatee dedication Denmark doth Dowland's First Booke Dowland's music Duke Earl of Essex Elizabethan England Flow my tears France French galliard German lands hath Hauge Heinrich Julius Henry Peacham honor Howet instrumental Italian James John Dowland Kassel King Lachrimae Lady Landgrave later letter London Lord lute solos lute song lutenist madrigals Majesty Majesty’s manuscript Marenzio Micrologus Moritz Morley's Musicall Banquet musicians Oxford University Press Paris pavan Peacham pieces Pilgrimes Solace poem prince printed Queen Anna Queen Elizabeth Robert Cecil Robert Dowland Robert Sidney Royal Second Booke served songbook Songes or Ayres tablature tears Tessier Thomas Morley thou Varietie of Lute Varietie of Lute-Lessons Venice verse viol voice volume Whole Booke Wolfenbüttel