Guitar Ensemble - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1463458

Composed by John Dowland (1563-1626). Arranged by Clive Lane. Classical,Renaissance. Score and Parts. 34 pages. Clive Lane #1042156. Published by Clive Lane (A0.1463458).

‘Lachrimæ or Seven Tears figured in Seven passionate pavans, with divers other pavans, galliards and allemands, set forth for the lute, viols, or violons, in five parts’ is a collection of instrumental music composed by John Dowland and published in 1604. Apart from the sheer quality of the music, it is notable as the first publication of English music scored specifically for strings and for lute, and the first to have used the table layout for consort music.

There are seven Lachrimae pavans, which are variations on the theme that Dowland had already made famous as a lute solo and a song (“Flow my tears”).

The “divers other” compositions are: two almans (“almands”), nine lively galliards (“galiards”), two sombre pavans, and a “funerall.” 
There are 21 pieces in all and I have divided them into three books, retaining the original ordering of the pieces.

 This is Book One - the “Lachrimae” pavans:

1.     Lachrimae antiquae
2.     Lachrimae antiquae novae
3.     Lachrimae gementes
4.     Lachrimae tristes
5.     Lachrimae coactae
6.     Lachrimae amantis
7.     Lachrimae verae

(See Book Two & Book Three for the remaining 14 pieces)

For this arrangement for guitar quartet*, I have combined two of the parts (part three and part five) to make guitar 4 (with some minor adjustments).

Time values have been halved, and in several cases (Nos. 9,12,15,16,17,20,21), I have transposed the key to a more guitar-friendly key. 

Clive Lane 2024

*Also see my arrangement for guitar quintet.