Unsurpassed in his day as a lute virtuoso, John Dowland (1563'1626) today continues to delight singers, musicians, and music lovers alike. This collection of 45 songs includes all the works in Dowland's original third and fourth books of lute songs, the composer's contributions to his son's anthology of 1610, and a dance for solo guitar. Content :
THE THRID AND LAST BOOKE
I. Farewell too fair
II. Time stands still
III. Behold a wonder here
IV. Daphne was not so chaste
V. Me, me and none but me
VI. When Phoebus first did Daphne love
VII. Say Love if ever thou didst find
VIII. Flow not so fast ye fountains
IX. What if I never speed'
X. Love stood amaz'd
XI. Lend your ears to my sorrow
XII. By a fountain where I lay
XIII. Oh what hath overwrought
XIV. Farewell unkind farewell
XV. Weep you no more, sad fountains
XVI. Fie on this feigning
XVII. I must complain
XVIII It was a time when silly bees could speak
XIX. The lowest trees have tops
XX. What poor astronomers are they
XXI. Come when I call (for two voices and two lutes)
A PILGRIMES SOLACE
I. Disdain me still
II. Sweet stay awhile
III. To ask for all thy love
IV. Love those beams
V. Shall I strive with words to move (Mignarda, a galliard is Dowland's title for the solo lute version of the lyre Shall I strive with words to move.
VI. Were every thought an eye
VII. Stay Time awhile thy flying
VIII. Tel me true Love (with chorus)
The next three with treble and bass viols ofr violin and cello:
IX. Go nightly cares
X. From silent night
XI. Lasso vita mia
XII. In this trembling shadow
XIII. If that a sinner's sighs
A three-part work:
XIV. Thou mighty God
XV. When David's life
XVI. When the poor cripple
XVII. Where sin sore wounding
XVIII. My heart and tongue were twins
The next with chorus:
XIX. Up merry mates
XX. Welcome black night
XXI. Cease these false sports
THREE AYRES FROM A MUSICALL BANQUET
Far from triumphing Court
Lady if you so spite me
In darkness let me dwell
GALLIART TO LACHRIMAE
A lute solo from A Pilgrimes Solace, transcribed for guitar

This book is aimed at beginner lute and guitar players interested in playing Renaissance lutemusic on either instrument. Lute and guitar tablature are included along with notes on technique biographies of lute composers from the 16th century and general advice on buying stringing and tuning a lute. The book startswith single-line melodies before progressing to two-part and full repertoire pieces. Selections include works by great Renaissance composers such as John Dowland Francesco da Milano Alonso Mudarra Francesco Spinacino andothers with music from England Scotland Italy France and Germany. A useful chord chart is also included. Every piece in the book has been recorded for download by Rob MacKillop--in itself an album worth owning. Includesaccess to online audio.