Capriccio Stravagante Renaissance Orchestra / Skip Sempé
Dowland: Lachrimae or Seven Tears / Das Alte Werk
Lavish splendour
The Renaissance is well-known for its lavish festivities and princes with a love of splendour. Isn’t it only logical that the music of the era should sound just as opulent? Skip Sempé and his Capriccio Stravagante Renaissance Orchestra answer this question with a clear yes. Thus they perform John Dowland’s famous »Lachrimae« not with the usual line-up of five viols and a lute, but with a splendid ensemble of viols, recorders and a harpsichord, which they use to coax a spectacular wealth of new musical facets from these wonderful dances.
The compilation of instrumental pieces published in 1604 under the title »Lachrimae« is one of the most important and most popular music collections of its time. Dowland published it at his own expense while working as a lutenist at the Danish royal court. The collection opens with the famous »Lachrimae Pavan«, which Dowland had already published as a solo lute piece, and also in a vocal version. Other works in the collection are several more stately pieces and a number of spirited dances, which the composer dedicated to different individuals of his time: aristocrats, diplomats, acquaintances and even a pirate.
Performers
Capriccio Stravagante Renaissance Orchestra
Skip Sempé harpsichord and director
Programme
John Dowland
Lachrimae or Seven Teares
Subscription
Das Alte Werk