Composer

:

John Dowland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Part Song

Compose Date

:

1600

Publication Date

:

1600

Average_duration

:

2:41

"Clear or cloudy sweet as Aprill showring" is a lute song composed by John Dowland, one of the most famous English composers of the Renaissance period. The song was composed in the late 16th century and was first published in Dowland's collection of lute songs, "The First Booke of Songes or Ayres" in 1597. The song is a part of the Renaissance genre of lute songs, which were typically composed for solo voice and lute accompaniment. The lyrics of the song are written in the form of a dialogue between a lover and his beloved, with the lover expressing his desire for the beloved's affection. The song is characterized by its simple and elegant melody, which is accompanied by a delicate lute accompaniment. "Clear or cloudy sweet as Aprill showring" is composed in a single movement, with a slow and melancholic tempo. The song is written in the key of G major and is in a simple triple meter. The melody is characterized by its use of descending phrases, which give the song a sense of longing and sadness. The lute accompaniment is also simple and understated, with gentle arpeggios and chordal accompaniment that support the melody without overpowering it. The song's lyrics are typical of the Renaissance love poetry, with the lover expressing his devotion to his beloved and his desire for her affection. The opening lines of the song, "Clear or cloudy sweet as Aprill showring, / Smooth or frowning so is hir face to mee," express the lover's admiration for his beloved's beauty, while the later lines, "So I love and plain, perplexed in all, / Till spent in sighs, and drowned in teares I fall," express his despair at her indifference. Overall, "Clear or cloudy sweet as Aprill showring" is a beautiful example of the Renaissance lute song, with its simple and elegant melody, delicate lute accompaniment, and poignant lyrics. The song has remained popular among performers and audiences alike, and continues to be a beloved part of the Renaissance musical repertoire.

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