Dear Herbert: The pieces in question were written at a time when professional musicians had patrons. The higher placed the patron/employer the greater the income. In Dowland's case he circulated around people who were high placed at court in an effort to get an appointment as one of the Queen's Lutenists, to no avail.
Vance Wood. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Herbert Ward" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 10:47 AM Subject: Elizabethan pieces for gov. figures. > > I've noticed several Dowland pieces with titles honoring governmental and > military figures (the Earl of Essex, a naval admiral, etc.). > > The dedications strike the modern taste as greasy -- none of us would > compose a marching band piece (much less a lute piece) personally to a > distant military or political figure. > > How does one explain this striking difference in taste? Does a monarchist > mindset produce such servility? Perhaps Dowland really knew and admired > these people? > > >
