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In 1604, Dowland published his only collection of purely instrumental pieces, titled Lachrimae or Seaven Teares (1604). This collection is available on YouTube performed by The Parley of Instruments under Peter Holman, a seasoned expert in the theory and practice of Early Music. The recording was made in 1992 and released in 1993/2010 on CD by Hyperion. It consists of a total of 24 tracks, with each piece listed in detail along with their respective timestamps in the video description. The ensemble effectively captures the dark, melancholic sound associated with viols using string instruments from the violin family. However, some listeners may find the initial pieces somewhat melancholic for contemporary tastes, especially the “Lachrimae” compositions, which, although beautiful, carry a somber tone. Therefore, it may be advantageous to begin listening from the 14th track, an Almand, a German dance, to lighten the mood. The YouTube link to the playlist is here.
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Alternatively, the program is also available on YouTube in a different order performed by Hesperion XX under Jordi Savall, arguably one of the most renowned figures in Early Music, particularly known for his collaborations with his wife, Montserrat Figueras, until her passing in 2011. The recording, titled Dowland - Lachrimae or Seven Tears 1604 + Presentation (Century’s record. : Jordi Savall, Hespèrion), was uploaded on August 18, 2020, and has garnered over 114,024 views as of February 3, 2024. It comprises a total of 21 tracks, which are also listed with their respective timestamps in the video description. Unlike Holman’s rendition, Savall employs period instruments such as viols (Savall himself is a viol player), which offers a distinct sound. Comparing the tonal palettes and associated moods between Holman and Savall could be an interesting exercise for listeners. The YouTube link to the playlist is here.