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Four of the best John Dowland recordings

We recommend some of the greatest Dowland recordings on disc

best John Dowland recordings

Freya Parr

Published: February 18, 2019 at 10:00 am

Dowland: The Collected Works

The Consort of Musicke/Rooley Decca E452 5632

A one-stop shop for Dowland’s major works in 12 authoritative discs.

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15 unusual uses for Mozart

Complete Lute Music

Nigel North (Lute) Naxos 8.504016

Supple, sensitive and warmly recorded, North’s artful set is a steal at budget price.

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Assessing Vivaldi's musical style

Lachrimae

The Parley of Instruments Helios CDA55339

The Parley of Instruments performs Lachrimae as a violin consort, giving the work a brighter edge.

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Classical music's rule-breakers

Lute Songs

Mark Padmore (tenor), Elizabeth Kenny (lute), Craig Ogden (guitar) Hyperion CDA67648

Mark Padmore’s judicious anthology comes with the added bonus of Britten’s guitar tribute to Dowland.

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A guide to the lute

Read our reviews of the latest John Dowland recordings here

Digital Editor and Staff Writer, BBC Music Magazine

Freya Parr is BBC Music Magazine's digital editor and staff writer, editing and writing on all styles of music across both the website and print magazine. She has also written for titles including the Guardian, Circus Journal, Frankie and Suitcase Magazine, and runs The Noiseletter, a fortnightly arts and culture publication. Freya's main areas of interest and research lie in 20th-century and contemporary music. She's a regular sea shanty singer, folk obsessive and occasional flautist, pianist, organist and musical theatre director.