Forlorn Hope Fancy-John Dowland, Julian Bream

[AVD743]

You so right about Bream's performance here - he seems to live the passion and the twists of 'forlorn hope' itself. It's beautiful, and moving - and, yes, I can understand the terror too: Dowland and Bream are showing us the edge of the black hole.

Thank you for posting this!

The only other lutenist I've heard who comes close in interpretation would be Anthony Bailes - on CD8 of the Consort of Musicke's complete Dowland.

[Totma11]

To get an idea just how unusually strong this performance is pyschically, just listen to a version like Paul Odette's. But not just the psychic intensity here, but the tone is superior. I don't care if the lute is 'authentically light' or not... as this revisionist Rubio happens to be a better acoustic realization of lute sound than the overwhelming majority of the ensuing realizations of the 'historically correct' lighter models by the 'hip' makers.

[Funkyfreshboy2000]

@Totma11 Yes I totally agree! Bream's performances I think, were always nothing short of virtuosic! He goes far beyond just playing the notes that are written, I think he truely puts so much feeling and his own personal stamp on the pieces he preformed. I would think this is much like how this piece might have sounded if we could somehow hear Dowland himself play it! And as far as Rubio's instruments, they certainly do give a greater realization of the lute sound, using more modern techniques!

[Totma11]

@Funkyfreshboy2000 Dear Funky, I rejoice that you can hear it and know it... for it means that the world shall not only bring you no end of sorrow... but unbounded joy as well... for unbounded joy belongs only those who dare to try to see and hear what unspeakable beauty is possible to create here in this unworldly world.

[Funkyfreshboy2000]

@Totma11 Yes, I understand what you mean. So very well spoken. They say Dowland was of a melancholy disposition, just by listening to this amazing piece it is evident that he felt exactly the same as what you have stated. There is so much sorrow in the beginning of the piece, with the descending minor chromatics, but then it breaks into unabridaled virtuosic runs, as if to break free from the sorrow, taking pride in the fact he was brought so much joy basking in the beauty he exuded.

[Totma11]

@Funkyfreshboy2000 Your description of the events is very accurate to my ears... and if I may... I would add that what you've described occurs against a background of intensely broodsome morbidity and terror of the darkness... which is why this performance of this piece by Bream hit me like a ton of bricks when it came out... because I was desperately trying to find a way out into the daylight... somehow.

Dowland was Edgar Allan Poe of the lute.

[youknowImsaying]

3:10

[Funkyfreshboy2000]

It is a shame! This whole album is amazing! I transfered this from the original vinyl Lp to digital. One classical album that most certainly needs reissued on cd!

[Reprobate5150]

Wish it were still available in stores.

[ArcticGuardiaN]

@Reprobate5150

I just bought this album in my local vinyl store for some five bucks :)

[Funkyfreshboy2000]

@ArcticGuardiaN That's about how much I bought this copy for!