John Dowland: The First Booke of Songes presents soprano Berit Norbakken and lutenist Solmund Nystabakk in an intimate and finely crafted interpretation of one of the most influential publications in early music. the album offers a fresh and deeply expressive reading of Dowland’s 1597 collection, a cornerstone of the English lute‑song tradition.
Dowland’s First Booke is renowned for its emotional breadth, from luminous tenderness to profound melancholy. Norbakken and Nystabakk approach this repertoire with a rare combination of stylistic insight and artistic freedom. Her clear, flexible, and richly colored soprano meets his elegant, historically informed lute playing in performances that highlight the rhetorical nuance, poetic detail, and expressive immediacy of these songs.
The duo’s collaboration reveals the timelessness of Dowland’s musical language. Rather than treating the songs as museum pieces, Norbakken and Nystabakk allow them to breathe with natural phrasing, vivid storytelling, and a sense of direct communication that resonates across centuries. Their interpretation underscores the sophistication of Dowland’s writing—its harmonic daring, its melodic beauty, and its ability to convey human emotion with striking clarity.
John Dowland: The First Booke of Songes invites listeners into a sound world where intimacy and refinement meet. The release stands as both a tribute to Dowland’s enduring legacy and a compelling contemporary artistic statement.
Berit Norbakken – Soprano Berit Norbakken is one of Norway’s most distinguished sopranos, known for her clarity of tone, expressive range, and stylistic versatility. Her career spans early music, contemporary repertoire, and large‑scale concert works, with performances across Europe and collaborations with leading ensembles and conductors. Norbakken’s artistry is marked by a rare combination of technical finesse and emotional immediacy.
Solmund Nystabakk – Lute Solmund Nystabakk is a Norwegian lutenist and guitarist recognized for his refined musicianship and deep engagement with historical performance practice. Active as a soloist and chamber musician, he has appeared at major festivals and venues throughout Europe. His playing is noted for its elegance, expressive nuance, and thoughtful approach to repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to the early Classical period.
JOHN DOWLAND: THE FIRST BOOKE OF SONGES
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