In Darkness Let Me Dwell: Weep You No More, Sad Fountains
In Darkness Let Me Dwell: In Darkness Let Me Dwell
In Darkness Let Me Dwell: Lachrimae Verae
In Darkness Let Me Dwell: From Silent Night
In Darkness Let Me Dwell: Come Again
In Darkness Let Me Dwell: The Lowest Trees Have Tops
In Darkness Let Me Dwell: Flow My Tears
In Darkness Let Me Dwell: Come Heavy Sleep
In Darkness Let Me Dwell: Fine Knacks For Ladies
In Darkness Let Me Dwell: Flow My Tears
In Darkness Let Me Dwell: Now, O Now I Needs Must Part
In Darkness Let Me Dwell: Lachrimae Tristes
In Darkness Let Me Dwell: Go Crystal Tears
In Darkness Let Me Dwell: Lachrimae Amantis
Centuries before Lennon and McCartney, English Renaissance composer John Dowland was a master of song craft who penned the most popular tune of his time. His music, steeped in melancholy even deeper than was the fashion... more » of the time, has inspired the Hilliard Ensemble's John Potter and colleagues to perform a visionary collaboration for In Darkness Let Me Dwell, a collection that imparts the power and profundity of Dowland's music. --Thomas May« less
Centuries before Lennon and McCartney, English Renaissance composer John Dowland was a master of song craft who penned the most popular tune of his time. His music, steeped in melancholy even deeper than was the fashion of the time, has inspired the Hilliard Ensemble's John Potter and colleagues to perform a visionary collaboration for In Darkness Let Me Dwell, a collection that imparts the power and profundity of Dowland's music. --Thomas May
CD Reviews
Surprising, delightful mix of the old and the new
S. Zimmermann | Longmont, CO USA | 08/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this on a lark, at the recommendation of Amazon.com's software matchmaker; I didn't know any of the players, but I am familiar with Dowland's work. I popped it in the player along with several other new CDs and went about my business. An hour or so later this disc began to play, and I was stopped in my tracks: there's something so modern and playful about the performances, layered on top of Dowland's familiar sorrowful melodies. I think the period performance purists will give this one a miss, but anyone with eclectic musical tastes should find plenty to like. Makes me grin every time I put it on, which is quite something for a disc subtitled 'In Darkness Let Me Dwell'."
Dowland Lover
L. Strasberg | Brooklyn, New York USA | 02/08/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have had a affection for Dowland for a very long time. I loved "In Darkness Let Me Dwell" the minute I heard it and have played it repeatedly. I enjoy the liberties that were taken with this recording... they are surprising, and only enhance the sentiment of the work. I have many recordings of "Come Again",and this one is different than any other. The instrumental bridge, with it richness, is a wonderful contrast to the linear tenor voice. I am usually a purist with most music that I am familiar with... and it is rare that a new recording exceeds with a new take on the expected."
Atmosphere and drama reign.
Gary J. Wright | San Francisco, CA United States | 07/31/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a very special disc. The blend of old and new instrumentation is highly successful and might even appeal to some of those who are usually more inclined towards truly authentic approaches.
I am not altogether sure why there are two versions of Flow My Tears included. Both are outstanding interpretations (one mysterious, the other almost menacing), but I would have prefered one version of this, leaving room on the disc for another of Dowland's wonderful songs.
Potter sings beautifully throughout and each instrumentalist is on top form, adding fantastic, surreal tonal colors to the whole.
I could imagine these treatments as dramatic interpretations for a movie on the life of Dowland. Drama and atmosphere are aplenty in these fine performances. Well done to all concerned."
Neither fatal nor glorious
J. C Clark | Overland Park, KS United States | 02/13/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Dowland is a composer who can grow wearisome. The LP, with 20 to 25 minutes on a side, was perfect, and I still own a couple from way back then. But his lachrymose songs eventually wear me down, no matter how excellent the performers. One long evening was spent at an all Dowland barrage, in as traditional a performance as scholarship can imagine. I was just bored by the end, despite the excellence of all on stage. This collection is similar, though in different ways. I have taken this CD and mixed it into some vocal compilations, for individually there are tracks that are splendid. "Come Again" is perfect, a blend of old and new that works spectacularly. Indeed, this is not pure old music, but a weird and wonderful updating with a charmingly gloomy reed or two. Other cuts are nearly as good, and for those tracks alone, this is a keeper.
However, on some songs, the sound just grates, and I'm not sure John Potter's voice is strong enough to hold the show alone. Several of these annoy to the point of exasperation. So though I have no inherent objection to a sax and baroque violin pairing off, this is not a perfect CD. Sound is very good (the buzzing mentioned elsewhere does not bother me, nor the rasping of bow on string.) Musicians are excellent, especially the versatile Stephen Stubbs on the not-very-versatile lute. He fills and surrounds and enhances with the gentlest plucks, supporting and amplifying all the others. The six star stuff shines, but for the rest, the material offers too little modulation. Eventually it starts to sound like whining, and the ear (or at least this ear) tunes it out."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1