Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Chamber

 

The Dowland Project is a classical music ensemble that specializes in the performance of early music, particularly the works of English composer John Dowland. The group was founded in 1999 by British tenor John Potter, who had previously been a member of the Hilliard Ensemble. Potter was inspired to form the group after working on a recording of Dowland's music with lutenist Stephen Stubbs. He was struck by the beauty and complexity of the music, and felt that it deserved to be heard by a wider audience. He assembled a group of musicians who shared his passion for early music, including lutenist Stephen Stubbs, viola da gamba player John Surman, and percussionist Milos Valent. The Dowland Project's first album, "Night Sessions," was released in 2001. The album was a critical success, and was praised for its innovative approach to early music. The group's unique sound, which blended elements of jazz and world music with traditional early music, was particularly well-received. Over the years, The Dowland Project has performed at major music festivals and venues around the world, including the Edinburgh International Festival, the Wigmore Hall in London, and the Sydney Opera House. The group has also collaborated with a number of other musicians and ensembles, including the Norwegian early music ensemble Trio Mediaeval and the jazz pianist John Taylor. One of the highlights of The Dowland Project's career was their performance at the 2006 BBC Proms. The group performed a program of Dowland's music, as well as works by other early music composers. The performance was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, and was widely praised for its virtuosity and musicality. The Dowland Project has also received a number of awards and accolades over the years. Their album "Night Sessions" was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2002, and their album "Romaria" was named one of the top ten albums of 2008 by the New York Times. The group has also been praised for their live performances, and has won several awards for their work in the field of early music. Despite their success, The Dowland Project remains committed to exploring new avenues in early music. The group continues to experiment with different musical styles and genres, and is always looking for new ways to bring the music of John Dowland and other early composers to a wider audience.

More....