A Captivating Dowland Tribute that Weaves Together Melancholy and Timeless Beauty
The passing of John Dowland 400 years ago this year has been commemorated with a mesmerizing tribute from soprano Ruby Hughes, lutenist Jonas Nordberg, and viola da gamba player Mime Yamahiro Brinkmann. The album, titled Amidst the Shades, is not solely dedicated to Dowland's music, but rather draws inspiration from his distinctive Elizabethan melancholy. Even the title track, inspired by Purcell's song, conveys a sense of longing that is quintessentially Dowland.
Hughes's voice shines with a natural quality, refined yet unbridled, which has been beautifully captured in this recording. Her delivery is characterized by a softness and intimacy that allows each word to shine, like a delicate flower blooming in the darkness. Yet, her tone never becomes too indulgent; instead, it maintains a persuasive balance of line and focus, conveying emotion without overwhelming the listener.
This mastery of expression is evident not only in Dowland's own compositions but also in the works of his contemporaries and Purcell, as well as the four new pieces based on Shakespeare's song lyrics by Deborah Pritchard, Errollyn Wallen, and Cheryl Frances-Hoad. The album's overall effect is one of timeless beauty, weaving together past and present into a compelling tapestry of sound.
Ultimately, Amidst the Shades is a tribute that honors Dowland's legacy while forging its own path, a testament to the enduring power of melancholy as a musical theme. This enchanting album is a must-listen for fans of classical music, offering a poignant reminder of the beauty and depth of human emotion.
The passing of John Dowland 400 years ago this year has been commemorated with a mesmerizing tribute from soprano Ruby Hughes, lutenist Jonas Nordberg, and viola da gamba player Mime Yamahiro Brinkmann. The album, titled Amidst the Shades, is not solely dedicated to Dowland's music, but rather draws inspiration from his distinctive Elizabethan melancholy. Even the title track, inspired by Purcell's song, conveys a sense of longing that is quintessentially Dowland.
Hughes's voice shines with a natural quality, refined yet unbridled, which has been beautifully captured in this recording. Her delivery is characterized by a softness and intimacy that allows each word to shine, like a delicate flower blooming in the darkness. Yet, her tone never becomes too indulgent; instead, it maintains a persuasive balance of line and focus, conveying emotion without overwhelming the listener.
This mastery of expression is evident not only in Dowland's own compositions but also in the works of his contemporaries and Purcell, as well as the four new pieces based on Shakespeare's song lyrics by Deborah Pritchard, Errollyn Wallen, and Cheryl Frances-Hoad. The album's overall effect is one of timeless beauty, weaving together past and present into a compelling tapestry of sound.
Ultimately, Amidst the Shades is a tribute that honors Dowland's legacy while forging its own path, a testament to the enduring power of melancholy as a musical theme. This enchanting album is a must-listen for fans of classical music, offering a poignant reminder of the beauty and depth of human emotion.
I gotta say, this tribute to John Dowland is like, totally on point 
. The way Ruby Hughes' voice shines through is just gorgeous 
. And can we talk about how well they've woven together past and present? It's like they're taking a beautiful tapestry from the 17th century and adding some modern magic 
. I mean, the fact that Deborah Pritchard came up with those new pieces based on Shakespeare's song lyrics is just genius 
. The album's got this timeless quality to it, but also feels really fresh and relevant 
. It's like they're reminding us that melancholy is still a powerful theme in music today... even 400 years later! 
her delivery is so natural and effortless, it feels like she's singing just for me 
the way she weaves together melancholy and timeless beauty is pure magic 
. The way Ruby Hughes' voice weaves through these timeless tracks is simply mesmerizing 
And I love how they've incorporated modern pieces with a touch of magic 
Ruby Hughes' voice is just wow! She has this incredible ability to convey emotion without overdoing it, you know? It's like she's singing directly from her heart, but still leaving room for your own interpretation. I also really appreciate how they've woven together all these different pieces - Dowland, Purcell, Shakespeare... it's like a masterclass in emotional depth 
. And that title track though? *swoon* It's like they're speaking straight to my soul 
. It's like she's transported you to another era, but still manages to keep it relatable & contemporary 
. I love how the album doesn't just focus on Dowland's music, but also draws inspiration from his contemporaries & Shakespeare's lyrics - it adds a whole new layer of depth to the soundscapes 
. Overall, this tribute is a must-listen for anyone who loves classical music, and I think it's awesome how it honors Dowland's legacy while still forging its own path 
.
. it's weird, cuz you'd think dowland was all about being super down, but i think his music actually has this depth to it where you can still feel the weight of everything but also kinda... lift up? 
. and the fact that they're not just playing his songs but also stuff from purcell and shakespeare and new pieces too shows how much the melancholy vibe can be reworked into something fresh 
! Ruby Hughes's voice is like butter for my ears - so smooth and rich, it just melts into the music 
. And the way they've woven together his own stuff with some Purcell and even new pieces based on Shakespeare... genius 
! It's amazing how they've captured that melancholy vibe that Dowland was all about, but still made it feel fresh and timeless 
️.
and the way the instruments come together is just magical 
. I'm not saying this album is better than some of the classical stuff from the past, but it's definitely got that timeless quality to it 
. The way they wove together Dowland's music with Purcell and Shakespeare... it's like a beautiful tapestry of sadness 
. Anyway, if you're into classical music like me, you gotta check this out! 
I'm so curious about how the artists came up with the idea to weave together Dowland's music with other composers and Shakespeare's lyrics... did they do any in-depth research or just kinda went with their gut? And I love that Ruby Hughes' voice is described as having a "natural quality" - does she think it's because of her training or something else entirely? 
The way Ruby Hughes' voice weaves in and out of Dowland's music is just magic 
And yet, it still feels totally fresh and new. If you're into classical music at all, you need to give this one a listen ASAP! 
. This album is like a masterclass in melancholy music - it's the perfect blend of sorrow and beauty 
. And the lutenist Jonas Nordberg and viola da gamba player Mime Yamahiro Brinkmann are on point too - they really bring out the beauty in Dowland's music. What I love most about this album is how it balances old with new, making it feel both timeless and fresh at the same time 
!