pavane

It is the first publication of dances for string ensemble to include a lute accompaniment; the dances are ordered by genre rather than in pairs or by key; each of the seven pavans that begin the collection has a Latin title whose first word is "lachrimae" (tears); and the title of each of the remaining pavans, galliards, and almands names a person, presumably a dedicatee.

First, though, Peter Holman reviews music publishing in England and Dowland's travels to and from the Continent prior to his publication of the collection in London in spring 1604, while on leave from a court post in Denmark, The dedication mentions that the work was begun in Denmark and finished in England, prompting Holman to suggest that those dances, mostly pavans, with the cantos part in soprano clef ("low-pitched") were written in England for viols, some especially for the collection, while those using treble clef ("high-pitched," mostly galliards and almands) come from the repertory of the violin band at the Danish court.

It celebrates the 400th anniversary of the publication by the composer Antony Holborne of Pavans, Galliards, Almains and other short aeirs - a wonderful late-Elizabethan collection of pieces.

Holborne's music is all extremely accessible and this special concert of newly-prepared performances focuses on the variety of his writing - from the pop songs of the time such asThe Fairy Round, to Elizabethan dance music in the magnificent pavans and galliards.