John Dowland - The Delight of Solitariness (Duo Mignarda)

Information

Composer: John Dowland

1. Disdain Me Still, That I May Ever Love
2. Me, Me And None But Me
3. Shall I Strive With Words To Move?
4. Mignarda
5. Sweet Stay A While
6. Stay Time A While Thy Flying
7. Solus Cum Sola
8. Would My Conceit That First Enforced My Woe
9. The Lowest Trees Have Tops
10. Mistress Stewart's Thing
11. Toss Not My Soul
12. Rest A While You Cruel Cares
13. Praeludium
14. Go Crystal Tears
15. Lachrimae
16. O Sweet Woods The Delight Of Solitariness
17. Clear Or Cloudy Sweet As April Showering

Duo Mignarda

    Ron Andrico, lute

    Donna Stewart, mezzo-soprano

Date: 2024

Label: Prima Classic

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John Dowland’s songs for voice and lute represent the pinnacle of a musical form and tradition that was evident throughout Europe for at least 100 years prior to the publication of Dowland’s First Booke of Songes or Ayres in 1597. Earlier European examples of lute songs essentially represented an arrangement of polyphonic vocal music, assigning the lower parts to be played on the lute, and music for voice and lute in England prior to Dowland’s frst fruits mainly consisted of harmonizations of psalms and secular poetry set to well-known ballad and dance tunes. Dowland built upon this foundation and, while retaining the rhythmic vitality of dance forms, added his gift for melody and expressive text setting with a result that is superior to the work of any of his contemporaries.

The premiere professional lute song duo in the US, Mignarda has been sharing their engaging approach to historical music since 2003, setting a new standard for repertoire, interpretation and musicianship. Based in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, they have produced seventeen critically-acclaimed CDs and published a series of editions of historical music for voice and lute.

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