Composer

:

John Dowland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1600

Publication Date

:

1600

Average_duration

:

2:07

"Daphne was not so chaste as she was changing" is a lute song composed by John Dowland, a prominent English Renaissance composer and lutenist. The song was likely composed in the early 17th century, although the exact date is unknown. The song is in three movements, with the first and third being in a lively triple meter and the second in a slower duple meter. The lyrics describe the mythological figure Daphne, who was pursued by the god Apollo and transformed into a laurel tree to escape his advances. The song's title suggests that Daphne was not as virtuous as she appeared, as she was willing to change her form to avoid Apollo's advances. Musically, the song features Dowland's characteristic use of chromaticism and dissonance to create a sense of tension and longing. The lute accompaniment is intricate and virtuosic, with rapid arpeggios and complex chord progressions. The vocal melody is highly ornamented, with frequent trills and melismatic passages. "Daphne was not so chaste as she was changing" is a prime example of Dowland's skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music. The song remains a popular choice for lutenists and singers today, and is often performed as part of Dowland's larger body of work.

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