Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares


Lachrimæ or seaven teares figured in seaven 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. It was published by John Windet in London in 1604 when Dowland was employed as lutenist to Christian IV of Denmark. The publication was dedicated to Anne of Denmark.
The title page of Lachrimæ is adorned with a Latin epigram: "Aut Furit, aut Lachrimat, quem non Fortuna beavit".
Dowland points out in his dedication that there are different types of tears. “The teares which Musicke weeps” can be pleasant; “neither are teares shed always in sorrow but sometime in joy and gladnesse”.

Instrumentation

As the title suggests, the music is scored for five viols, or violins and lute.

''Lachrimae'' pavans

The seven pavans are variations on a theme, the "Lachrimæ pavan", which Dowland had already made well known as a lute solo and a song. The harmonies of the seven are intense, with lines weaving close together. Each was given a title by the composer, and there has been speculation that the group forms a narrative or musical journey, though any meaning remains unclear:
The “divers other” compositions are: two allemandes, nine lively galliards, two sombre pavans, and a “funerall.” They are dedicated to people of varying social rank, including a pirate, Digorie Piper, who is not fully named. “M” is mister, “Mss” is mistress. Still the scoring is for lute and 5 viols :