Composer

:

John Dowland

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Pavane

Compose Date

:

1604

Publication Date

:

1604

Average_duration

:

4:09

John Dowland's "Lachrimae gementes" is a collection of seven pavans and a galliard, composed in 1604. The work was premiered in London, and it quickly became one of Dowland's most popular compositions. The title "Lachrimae gementes" translates to "weeping tears," and the music is characterized by its melancholic and introspective mood. The first pavan, "Lachrimae Antiquae," is the most famous of the collection. It is a slow and mournful piece, with a repeating melody that is passed between the different voices of the ensemble. The second pavan, "Lachrimae Antiquae Novae," is a variation on the first, with a more complex and ornamented melody. The third pavan, "Lachrimae Gementes," is a more somber and introspective piece, with a slower tempo and a more complex harmonic structure. The fourth pavan, "Lachrimae Tristes," is a more upbeat and lively piece, with a faster tempo and a more rhythmic melody. The fifth pavan, "Lachrimae Coactae," is a more complex and intricate piece, with a more elaborate melody and a more varied harmonic structure. The sixth pavan, "Lachrimae Amantis," is a more romantic and sentimental piece, with a slower tempo and a more lyrical melody. The final pavan, "Lachrimae Verae," is a more introspective and contemplative piece, with a slower tempo and a more complex harmonic structure. The galliard that follows is a more lively and upbeat piece, with a faster tempo and a more rhythmic melody. Overall, "Lachrimae gementes" is a collection of melancholic and introspective pieces that reflect Dowland's own struggles with depression and melancholy. The music is characterized by its complex harmonies, intricate melodies, and introspective mood, and it remains one of Dowland's most popular and enduring works.

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