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.

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 (“almands”), nine lively galliards (“galiards”), 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.

Still the scoring is for lute and 5 viols (or violins): From 1598 Dowland was employed as lutenist to Christian IV of Denmark, but he still published in London, where he seems to have maintained a family home.

In the case of Lachrimae, he may have been back in England long enough to oversee the publication process directly.

[3][4] Recordings include Lachrimae, or Seven Tears by the viol consort Phantasm with Elizabeth Kenny (lute) directed by Laurence Dreyfus.