John Dowland’s music fell silent for centuries until it was gradually revived in the 1900s, helped by pioneering recordings made by the countertenor Alfred Deller. Britten’s Lachrymae, composed overnight in May 1950 after taking a call from the great violist William Primrose asking for the piece that he had been promised, captures the melancholy essence of Dowland’s song If my complaints could passions move.

John Dowland Time stands still (arranged by Nico Muhly for countertenor and ensemble)
Thomas Adès Alchymia: III. Lachrymae (for basset clarinet and string quartet)
Benjamin Britten Nocturnal after John Dowland, Op. 70 (for solo guitar)
John Dowland A Musical Banquet: XI. In darkness let me dwell, IX. Far from triumphing court, X. Lady if you so spight me
Benjamin Britten Lachrymae, Op. 48a (for solo viola and chamber orchestra)

Iestyn Davies countertenor
Thomas Dunford lute
Laura Snowden guitar
Hélène Clément viola
12 Ensemble
Jonathan Leibovitz clarinet