Dowland by Michael Butten

ByBradford Werner
2019

Dowland by Michael Butten
First Hand Records, 2019

Buy or learn more via First Hand Records or Amazon

I was very pleased to receive a copy of Michael Button’s new release of works by Elizabethan composer and lutenist John Dowland (1563-1626). Dowland is one of my favourite composers and we are very lucky to be able to play his music which works well on the modern guitar. There are plenty of excellent recordings of Dowland on lute but on guitar Dowland often gets designated as an opening act or prelude to other repertoire so it’s great to see an entire album dedicated to him. Once I start hearing Dowland I don’t want it stop or switch to another era or composer so this is an album to listen to from start to finish.

Dowland by Michael Butten is filled with a wonderful array of Elizabethan lute works ranging from tearful sorrow to joyful bounce. Butten showcases beautiful articulations, phrasing, and sweet resonant tone colours throughout. A sensitive touch on the instrument and rhythmic energy to match, this is an excellent interpretation of Dowland’s works.

Listen to Samples

Repertoire List

1. Preludium
2. A Fancy in E minor
3. Lord Strang’s March
4. Lachrimae Pavan
5. The Frog Galliard
6. Fantasy in E major
7. Sir John Smith’s Almain
8. Can She Excuse?
9. Forlorne Hope Fancy
10. Lady Clifton’s Spirit
11. Mrs White’s Thing
12. Mrs White’s Nothing
13. Tremolo Fancy
14. Loth to Depart
15. Lady Hunsdon’s Puffe
16. Mrs Winters Jump
17. Fancy in B minor
18. Queen Elizabeth’s Galliard
19. The Shoemaker’s Wife
20. Farewell

Recorded at Holy Trinity Church, Weston, Hertfordshire, UK, 30 October – 1 November 2016
Engineered and produced by John Taylor
24bit, 96kHz hi-resolution recording and mastering
Photos taken by Timothy Ellis
Artwork by David Murphy (FHR)
Booklet notes by Graham Wade

Dowland Sheet Music and Lessons

John Dowland (1563-1626) – Renaissance, England
Fortune, My Foe by Dowland, Grade 6, Sheet Music or Tab
Mr. Dowland’s Midnight by Dowland, Grade 4, Sheet Music or Tab
Mrs. Winters Jump by Dowland, Grade 4, Free Sheet Music or Tab
Orlando Sleepeth by Dowland, Grade 4, Sheet Music or Tab
Tarleton’s Resurrection, Grade 6, Sheet Music or Tab
The Round Battle Galliard, Grade 7, Sheet Music or Tab

Bradford Werner

Bradford Werner is a classical guitarist and music publisher from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He originally created this site for his students at the Victoria Conservatory of Music but now shares content worldwide. Curating guitar content helps students absorb the culture, musical ideas, and technique of the classical guitar. Bradford also has a YouTube channel with over 94,000 subscribers and 13 million views. He taught classical guitar at the Victoria Conservatory of Music for 16 years and freelanced in Greater Victoria for 20 years and now dedicates much of his time curating content online and helping connect the classical guitar community. See more at his personal website.