Weep, O mine eyes

It's been quite a while since I posted anything; I've been busy getting the PCO up and running again. A great big thanks to everyone who's been able to come out and start playing together again!

I have also been doing some research on the English Madrigalist composers, who flourished at the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th century. The most famous names among these composers are William Byrd and Thomas Morley (with his ever popular Now is the Month of Maying). One of the lesser known madrigalists is John Bennet, and it is his music that I've been listening to and arranging.

Not much is known about Bennet's life. He was born sometime around 1575, and died sometime after 1614. Despite this dearth of information and his rather meager legacy of compositions, since one of his pieces was published in the collection The Triumphs of Oriana (1601) - which included music by 22 other madrigalists - Bennet's high standing among the leading composers of the time is fairly certain.

One of Bennet's most famous pieces is Weep, O mine eyes, a madrigal for four voices. It is based on/inspired by the even more famous Flow, my teares, a lute song by John Dowland (1563–1626).

I couldn't help sharing this beautiful music. Sad music for sad times. Let us remember those no longer with us, and look forward to better days ahead.

John Bennet: Weep, O mine eyes - performed by Ensemble Luau

Weep, O mine eyes and cease not,
alas, these your spring tides methinks increase not.
O when begin you
to swell so high that I may drown me in you?

 

John Dowland: Flow my teares - performed by Valeria Mignaco (soprano) & Alfonso Marin (lute)

Flow, my tears, fall from your springs!
Exiled for ever, let me mourn;
Where night's black bird her sad infamy sings,
There let me live forlorn.

Down vain lights, shine you no more!
No nights are dark enough for those
That in despair their lost fortunes deplore.
Light doth but shame disclose.

Never may my woes be relieved,
Since pity is fled;
And tears and sighs and groans my weary days
Of all joys have deprived.

From the highest spire of contentment
My fortune is thrown;
And fear and grief and pain for my deserts
Are my hopes, since hope is gone.

Hark! you shadows that in darkness dwell,
Learn to condemn light
Happy, happy they that in hell
Feel not the world's despite.

 

John Dowland: Lachrimae Antiquae Pavan (an instrumental version of Flow my teares) - performed by Finnish Rso