Tuesday 10 April 2018

Latest work, Lord Willoughby His Welcome Home by John Dowland / William Byrd

I've just finished this after some late nights and I'm really happy with it.


I upgraded my guitar halfway through working on this. The new one is set up beautifully so there are fewer intonation problems on this recording and I'm learning how to achieve a nicer recorded guitar sound.

Once again the music / chord changes lend themselves really well to a rock style, while still retaining the renaissance feel.

The sheet music I've used is from My Ladye Nevells Booke of Virginal Music (1591) (number 33). That's obviously written for keyboard but as is often the case with harpsichord or virginal music it's not too much trouble to pick out four or five parts.

I'm a little confused though because that collection of virginal music is credited to William Byrd. (It's also rather quaintly spelled 'Lord Willobies Welcome Home'[sic]) I can't see a credit to John Dowland on that arrangement, but I'm sure that Lord Willoughby's Welcome Home is a John Dowland tune.

I've found these notes on the collection of music but it doesn't mention other composers' names, only crediting William Byrd.

So I'm fairly sure that I should credit this to John Dowland, arr. William Byrd. (And rearranged by me.)   If anyone can confirm or clarify,  please do let me know.