John Dowland (the 400th anniversary of whose death is on 20 February 2026) was an English Renaissance composer, lutenist, and singer, often regarded as one of the greatest masters of the lute song. His melancholic music, filled with deep emotional expression, perfectly captures the mood of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. His famous works include the Bookes of Songes or Ayres and Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares, featuring pieces like “Flow my tears” and “Come heavy sleep”. Dowland’s compositions are characterized by their exquisite balance between poignant vocal melodies and intricate lute accompaniments, as well as his virtuosic solo lute pieces, which are still staples in the repertoire today.

Contents:

John Dowland 1563-1626
CD 1: Ayres
- Hilliard Ensemble │ Pro Cantione Antiqua │ The King’s Singers
CD 2: Treasures from my minde. Songs and instrumental pieces
- Virelai
CD 3: Farewell, Unkind. Songs & Dances
- The Boston Camerata & Joel Cohen
CD 4: The English Orpheus - Songs for voice and lute
- Emma Kirkby ∙ Anthony Rooley │ Alfred Deller ∙ Desmond Dupré
CD 5: “Sweet stay awhile”: Songs and Lute Pieces
- Charles Daniels ∙ David Miller │ Philippe Jaroussky ∙ Thibaut Garcia
CD 6: Songs for tenor and lute
- Nigel Rogers ∙ Paul O’Dette ∙ Anthony Bailes ∙ Jordi Savall
CD 7: Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares Pavans │ Dances from Lachrimae
- Fretwork ∙ Christopher Wilson ∙ Michael Chance
CD 8: Instrumental Works
- Gustav Leonhardt │ Jean Rondeau │ David Munrow │ Óscar Cáceres │ Betho Davezac

Dowland & his Contemporaries
CD 9: Rosa: Elizabethan Lute Music
- Christopher Wilson
Elizabethan Lute Songs
- James Bowman ∙ Robert Spencer
CD 10: What then is love? An Elizabethan Songbook

Recorded 1949-2021