Sting may not perform this work as the pundits expect, but Sting still does this piece great justice! Sting is one of the anomolies of the Music World, since he is prepared to move out of his comfort zone , but as a result, he makes music available to a wider audience than it was originally intended!
This sends chills down my spine....every time again. This is not 2 musicians playing...this is 2 musicians interpreting and reflecting in music and they match perfectly. It is a breathlessly beautifull version of a bloodstolling classic. Respect for the both of you.... from Flanders...
I've listened to a number of versions of this song here, and this one has definitely something the others don't. First, Sting adds a life I hardly hear in others, but maybe the most stricking feature is the place the luth takes. It's not just here for support, it's the foundation of the entire song. This one is definitely a fave. Too bad so many narrow minded people just had fun with shooting Sting down. I find this album really interesting and refreshing.
I loved this one. Not only the scenario captures the spirit of the song, as both the lutenist and Sting do, too. I feel you made it both intimate and accessible at once. The lute feels dramatic, played with rhythm and dynamics, like a soloist singing an aria. Sting sings with clarity and really puts emotion in the song. You did really well, as most often the instrument is played mechanically, without any soul, and the voice is really technical but incomprehensible and equally soulless. Even a peasant would do better than many modern musicians/critics, because at least he will interpret it, and put his soul in.
Many people seem to think that this version is "not as good" as others because Sting makes the song sound dark and melancholy. Those people seem to be forgetting that this song is intended to be dark. It most definitely should not sound light-hearted or sweet, as some versions I've heard sound. At least, that's my opinion, for whatever that's worth. I think that Sting has managed to capture the intended feeling of Dowling's original song, and has done so brilliantly.
The whole point of Early Music is that it is music driven by emotion - the Renaissance era of music perhaps one of the most emotionally deep eras of music. The composers give simply no marks on the page other than the notes themselves - not even accidentals most of the the time. Thus, the performer has a lot of room for interpretation which is why I love early music and especially original performances such as this one.
Sting does it again, and allows us to hear the wonderful roots to that which we are listening to today, and the bards sung so many years ago. I find that Sting's voice comes through wonderfully during the playing of the lute by Dowland. I am truly mesmerized by this era of Sting's performances with Lutist Dowland, as well his his own playing of the arch lute. What a wonderful part of musical history we are taking part of.
Let's not confuse people: the lutist is EDIN KARAMAZOV who created this incredible album with Sting.... and JOHN DOWLAND is a composer from the late Elizabethan Era.
Sting is a modern musician but changes up musical style every handful of years like Paul Simon and U2. His depth includes reggae, classic and the classic police stuff. He admits he is a poor imitator of John Dowland but he has taught himself how to play a 24 string lute and has assisted lots of people to enjoy John Dowland for the first time. I think John Dowland would appreciate the effort
agree ! Stings raw &sensual voice is a great treat for Jazz & Rock/Pop , yet ppl are not used to hearing him sing John-DowLand-songs . And yet , tHere is a Mystery in his voice .. an undercurrent , that blends beautifully with the music . Dig deeper , folks !
After listening to this song years ago last year I decided to perform the song and I have to say it was not an easy piece as a singer to sing. If you look at the sheet music for this one you can see that literally there are two melodies the singers and the accompaniment and they are like jarring sounds they clash and follow there own rhythm as a singer I was by myself usually accompaniment helps me keep tempo and keep the pace. Nope not this one it was the hardest one I have done and I loved performing it none of it would have been possible if Sting wasn't my role model for music ,great song it was worth the challenge
What an amazing composition. Powerful stuff, no matter who sings it. I'm in awe.....
9 лет назад+156
Some were mentioning coming from the classical style and how Sting just killed it, but for a tune that was published in an anthology for voice and lute, it should allude that this song was meant for anyone to sing. I think the misjudgment is that today we believe any piece that is deemed from ancient periods must have been sung in a bel canto voice when the reality is many of these tunes were aimed at the general masses. Unless it is part of an opera or a church piece, most likely, these tunes were for regular, unschooled and untrained people to sing; if that is the case, then Sting's voice is perhaps more accurate than someone singing this tune in a classical style. (Though personally, I have never liked Sting's voice, and he does seem a bit melodramatic, lol).
9 лет назад+8
***** Yes, true. I didn't mean to say he's not trained - he's voice is very pop oriented, but some comments were making it seem that his voice was not adequate for this tune, when the reality is no one really knows what "yester-year's" music would have sounded like. Everything is based off of educated theories. As it is w/ piano music, there is such a division about performance interpretations, it's a stifling endeavour. Anyway, good points you brought up. cheers...
L Crosby García Sting's performance is probably truer to the original style. If you look at depictions of singers from Dowland's time and before it is notable that their brows are furrowed in some strain, and their mouths barely open, as if they were speaking rather than singing - rather like Sting in this video. It is true that Dowland was one of the first to compose for the solo voice, but I don't believe that he had the modern 'classically trained' vocal in mind. Lute and voice were meant to blend into a sonorous contrapuntal whole, neither dominating the other, as if they were a single instrument. Conversely, in the bel canto style, the voice takes the foreground, while the lute is relegated to the status of accompaniment. Sting does exactly the right thing by singing so plainly, eschewing the vibrato, trills, hand waving, eye-rolling and grimacing, and general bel canto operatic fruitiness that other artistes have employed.
9 лет назад+4
+hdholl Considering us musicologists spend a lot of time researching and attempting to validate the historicity of performance, text, style, interpretation, cultural & social influences, etc., our 'wild guesses' would still be more accurate than what your idea of 'pure' art should be. In any case, I did mention to another responder that it is true that we will never know w/ 100% accuracy the things of the past; but trained music & historical researchers can at least make educated 'conjectures', like you call them. Your tastes, opinions, and preferences are just that - yours.
+L Crosby García We agree, don’t we? I have great respect for musicologists and their research. The closer they/you can get to the truth, the better. But the pursuit for historical accuracy is one thing, the quest for musical beauty another. Sometimes they go together and the one intensifies the other (like playing Bach on the period instruments of Harnoncourt’s Concentus Musicus), sometimes they clash and create ugliness (like playing Beethoven on rickety 18/19th C piano - I played a few bars on his own piano in Bonn - terrible). Sting also creates ugliness (to my ears, indeed) because of his terrible voice, not even because he is ‘historical’ (which I doubt). If he hadn’t been famous he probably wouldn’t have found a record company for this. Glenn Gould (and A. Hewitt) on the other hand, with all his historical knowledge, preferred playing Bach on a Steinway grand (without however using the pedal in respect for the polyphony) to create beauty and perfection (to my ears, again). Anyway: 'de la musique avant toute chose', as Paul Verlaine said. To you and all musicologists: keep up the good work!
9 лет назад+8
hdholl True; however, I've come to the realization everything becomes an individual and/or a cultural preference, including the definition of "beauty".
When I'm depressed, I choose this genre of music over country any day. As well as songs by Henry Purcell such as "The Cold Song" and "Death". Henry Purcell and John Dowland were great composers, and their compositions are ones to treasure a lifetime long.
I greatly appreciate Sting's effort to keep this timeless music relevant for today! 🖤🖤🖤 If you're interested: Check out our contemporary electrified version of "In Darkness": ruclips.net/video/FQxW_2CI5yE/видео.html 🎸
I am coming late to the party but as they say, better late than never. Wow! I agree with a previous comment about these songs being written to be sung by the common man and woman but there is nothing common about this duo. Fantastic!
I agree. Its so nice to hear such an unusual slant and boy does it work. I have to put any negative feelings to one side I may have about Sting and admit this is fabulous, dark and brooding . This is most powerful and moving, incredible infact.
My friend, that was genius! I put them 1 second apart, and the harmonies and counterpoint they produced were simply amazing. Such eeriness and melancholy!
a song full lonleyness, of ´great dispair, performed with the most intensitivity and passion. thx sting, who I admire and who' s concert in Kassel I could not join. - Keep tuned and be so kind!
My nephew died... and we buried him on top of my son... I know this darkness very well!!... But I don't dwell there, for long... I'm constantly bathing in The Light of Yeshua!!! He is my Salvation from grief!!!......☝
I consider this a great and emotional version. We have to put music first, even when "philology" may not be followed at the maximum. In addition, this approach by Sting surely led people to know this music
As Matthew E hinted, the song was written in an era when emotional music was the fashion. I think this music dates from the time when the old tragedy classic "babes in the wood" became (in)famous. This song follows a similar theme by expressing despair instead of triumph.
Kudos to Sting for introducing Dowland to his audience. As far as his performance, there's nothing at all wrong with box wine. I just hope that his fans don't let the haughtiness in some classical fans' reactions to it stop them short of developing a taste for fine wine.
I do admire Sting for his musicality. When I listen to his singing here with my classical ears on, it's rather a pain, judged from the values of art in classical singing. But, after all, he's building a bridge here, and I deeply acknowledge that. I'm singing mostly classical and do some Heavy Metal in between, so I do support the crossover. Music is human and global, when it's good. A. von Uri, Switzerland
Love Dowland. His seeming penchant for melancholy reflects his life and his times. Really have enjoyed Sting's explorations in Labyrinth & elsewhere. "The Seaven Teares" melodic sequence nicely resembles Hijaz in Near Eastern music. Dowland was reportedly NOT a depressed person, in spite of the slings and arrows partly due to his Catholic identity.
A few years ago me, my dad, and brother in-law saw these two doing a song on PBS together, Actually, I think it was this very song. But anyway, Ever since then I've seen Mr. Karamazov several times, performing everything from Dowland to Bach, very well I might add. It was very suprising to hear Mr. Karamazov say it couldn't be compared to anything and it's his favorite.
@@simonidastankovic2627 I agree, indeed you are quite right. I simply meant that at the time I was somewhat surprised that of all the music that Edin knows and knows of and is familiar with, it was this song that made the biggest impact on him and struck him the most. There is so much music in the world that is beautiful, expressive and passionate, but it would seem that perhaps he found these lyrics to be particularly relatable to himself, as do many other people I'm sure. I know I do.
Dang, this performance really brings out everything about this song that strikes us as jarringly modern. It's a 400+-year-old song, but Sting's attention to timbre makes it sound very up to date, in a way that more conventional performances don't. The only performance I've heard that's as good as/more moving than this is by Mark Padmore, and that's high praise.
Have Sting's Labyrinth album, Karamazov is an outstanding lutinist, and Sting has brought this music to the attention of a wider audience. I like the interpretation by Ellen Hargis also on you tube. personal preference, not to deminish Sting.
Lots of comments debating whether Sting's performance is technically correct - to me what matters is this performance is really interesting to listen to. I've listened to a number of more classical performances and none of them make this song at once as memorable, interesting and engaging as Sting's.
Gentle and beautiful harmonies are really beautiful. How do you complete the way of singing that pierces the core thinly? Is it a talent you were born with? I love
al or how else would a new generation who never otherwise would have heard it, hear it?...i appreciate the effort, knocked my socks off when it came out last decade
Listen to this unforgettable song on Faire, Sweet, Cruell, Elizabethan Songs performed by Christina Hogman. In fact, the entire recording is exquisite.
In darkness let me dwell; the ground shall sorrow be, The roof despair, to bar all cheerful light from me; The walls of marble black, that moist'ned still shall weep; My music, hellish jarring sounds, to banish friendly sleep. Thus, wedded to my woes, and bedded in my tomb, O let me dying live, till death doth come, till death doth come. In darkness let me dwell
“…silence is the perfect music….” Indeed it is….as the space bears the sound of perfectionism….I guess this is what happens if we feel it instead of listening…
its funny how people will disregard sting entirely, considering we have no recordings of what people sounded like in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Perhaps singers did take this approach? As some other viewers said, i do enjoy the heightened drama Sting brings by speaking the text emphatically. Personally, i admire (and prefer) Hargis's interpretation for its crystalline acuity and superb ensemble. But why should that prevent sting from presenting his two cents?
Well, Kris. You’ve had 7 years with few comments. Hardly worth it Really. No doubt by now you have your own “ Superior Version”, On Record And Ready for us to hear. I look forward to it !.
Great version by Sting. I had a go at updating Dowland myself earning a slightly stuffy response from those in the classical world but entertaining those in blues world. Enjoyed myself, learned a lot and still love listening the original pieces played by early music buffs. If you're interested in my attempts on blues slide guitar then go to my carsickphil channel and see what you think. There's a version of Mr Dowland's Midnight and Orlando Sleepeth available among my videos.
I would honestly appreciate reading a meaningful critical comment on this, but most of the critics (even the condescendingly approving ones) seem to be writing with an assumption that there is a "correct classical voice/method" for this kind of music - which is very dubious not only historically but philosophically as well. Even if a composition was indeed written with a particular kind of performance in mind, that doesn't de-merit different performances - e.g. Bach never wrote for piano but that doesn't stop us from enjoying Bach on piano. So what's exactly inherently good or bad about this performance would be far more interesting to read than how it differs from "the proper classical way".
@danablett what i think he means by "the counterpoint is very awkward, eerie, mysterious" is the way that the harmonic relationship between the 2 instruments constantly change on a note per note basis and in a fairly non traditional way... lets not forget that the definition of counterpoint is "point to point" i can totally understand what he is saying. I don't see how you don't get this... ive been to your channel, ive watch some videos, you are smart and talented. Why bother picking on Sting?
I've got a 60s recording by Peter Pears, his voice is more pure but sounds quite sanitised. I really like this alternative interpretation. It is a strange song, full of assonance and certainly not cheerful. About being in deep depression I suppose.
The artist field should also list Dowland, just as every song released by Brittany should have had the composer prominently written all over the place. Dowland is mentioned but should be on equal footing with Sting.
Sting may not perform this work as the pundits expect, but Sting still does this piece great justice!
Sting is one of the anomolies of the Music World, since he is prepared to move out of his comfort zone , but as a result, he makes music available to a wider audience than it was originally intended!
and more then that...
well said.
the Jo Dolandi pundits are seething as you quite rightly suggest
This sends chills down my spine....every time again. This is not 2 musicians playing...this is 2 musicians interpreting and reflecting in music and they match perfectly. It is a breathlessly beautifull version of a bloodstolling classic. Respect for the both of you.... from Flanders...
Sting's pitch is phenomenal in this, he really emphasizes the semitones
i love the enunciation he has, making every word clear and precise. along with the music, Perfection!
I've listened to a number of versions of this song here, and this one has definitely something the others don't. First, Sting adds a life I hardly hear in others, but maybe the most stricking feature is the place the luth takes. It's not just here for support, it's the foundation of the entire song. This one is definitely a fave.
Too bad so many narrow minded people just had fun with shooting Sting down. I find this album really interesting and refreshing.
I loved this one. Not only the scenario captures the spirit of the song, as both the lutenist and Sting do, too. I feel you made it both intimate and accessible at once. The lute feels dramatic, played with rhythm and dynamics, like a soloist singing an aria. Sting sings with clarity and really puts emotion in the song. You did really well, as most often the instrument is played mechanically, without any soul, and the voice is really technical but incomprehensible and equally soulless. Even a peasant would do better than many modern musicians/critics, because at least he will interpret it, and put his soul in.
Sting adds not only Life to his interpretation, but also Death...which is the whole point.
the album is more then interesting and refreshing....it is a true Master Piece of two ingenious artists:
EDIN KARAMAZOV and STING !
@@AdlerMow BRAVO !
👌🌺👍
There are no words for its melancholy beauty.
I llike the creative way he sings the line "hellish jarring sounds" with a cacophony and dissonance. It really exampifies the expression of the line.
Many people seem to think that this version is "not as good" as others because Sting makes the song sound dark and melancholy. Those people seem to be forgetting that this song is intended to be dark. It most definitely should not sound light-hearted or sweet, as some versions I've heard sound. At least, that's my opinion, for whatever that's worth. I think that Sting has managed to capture the intended feeling of Dowling's original song, and has done so brilliantly.
ABSOLUTELY !!!
"Semper Dowland, semper dolens". That's the way!
I agree with you 100%, and I'm not particularly a fan of Sting but he really caught the mood.
👌🌺👍
he does an incredible job with this song!! way to go sting!!
.
🤔
Brilliant! I Love Listening To This In My 16th Century Castle.
Every piece of music is open to interpretation and respect to the interpreter if they pay homage the original intent.
I like it.
The whole point of Early Music is that it is music driven by emotion - the Renaissance era of music perhaps one of the most emotionally deep eras of music. The composers give simply no marks on the page other than the notes themselves - not even accidentals most of the the time. Thus, the performer has a lot of room for interpretation which is why I love early music and especially original performances such as this one.
Sting does it again, and allows us to hear the wonderful roots to that which we are listening to today, and the bards sung so many years ago. I find that Sting's voice comes through wonderfully during the playing of the lute by Dowland. I am truly mesmerized by this era of Sting's performances with Lutist Dowland, as well his his own playing of the arch lute. What a wonderful part of musical history we are taking part of.
LutePlayer s name is Edin Karamazov :)
Composer is John Dowland (16th century)
Let's not confuse people: the lutist is EDIN KARAMAZOV who created this incredible album with Sting.... and JOHN DOWLAND is a composer from the late Elizabethan Era.
@@naneeleo823❤
@simonidastankovic2627 ❤
Sting is a modern musician but changes up musical style every handful of years like Paul Simon and U2. His depth includes reggae, classic and the classic police stuff. He admits he is a poor imitator of John Dowland but he has taught himself how to play a 24 string lute and has assisted lots of people to enjoy John Dowland for the first time. I think John Dowland would appreciate the effort
agree ! Stings raw &sensual voice is a great treat for Jazz & Rock/Pop , yet ppl are not used to hearing him sing John-DowLand-songs .
And yet , tHere is a Mystery in his voice .. an undercurrent , that blends beautifully with the music . Dig deeper , folks !
particularly because it is much more then an effort.
@@naneeleo823 not everyone can dig deeper....
After listening to this song years ago last year I decided to perform the song and I have to say it was not an easy piece as a singer to sing. If you look at the sheet music for this one you can see that literally there are two melodies the singers and the accompaniment and they are like jarring sounds they clash and follow there own rhythm as a singer I was by myself usually accompaniment helps me keep tempo and keep the pace. Nope not this one it was the hardest one I have done and I loved performing it none of it would have been possible if Sting wasn't my role model for music ,great song it was worth the challenge
Nicely put! Bravo and best wishes! ❤️ 🙏
Je suis bouleversée de tant de profondeur et de beauté !
Music from paper . So many hats off, rendition of the forgotten.
without any doubt, Sting's best record...
.
🤔
What an amazing composition. Powerful stuff, no matter who sings it. I'm in awe.....
Some were mentioning coming from the classical style and how Sting just killed it, but for a tune that was published in an anthology for voice and lute, it should allude that this song was meant for anyone to sing. I think the misjudgment is that today we believe any piece that is deemed from ancient periods must have been sung in a bel canto voice when the reality is many of these tunes were aimed at the general masses. Unless it is part of an opera or a church piece, most likely, these tunes were for regular, unschooled and untrained people to sing; if that is the case, then Sting's voice is perhaps more accurate than someone singing this tune in a classical style. (Though personally, I have never liked Sting's voice, and he does seem a bit melodramatic, lol).
***** Yes, true. I didn't mean to say he's not trained - he's voice is very pop oriented, but some comments were making it seem that his voice was not adequate for this tune, when the reality is no one really knows what "yester-year's" music would have sounded like. Everything is based off of educated theories. As it is w/ piano music, there is such a division about performance interpretations, it's a stifling endeavour. Anyway, good points you brought up. cheers...
L Crosby García Sting's performance is probably truer to the original style. If you look at depictions of singers from Dowland's time and before it is notable that their brows are furrowed in some strain, and their mouths barely open, as if they were speaking rather than singing - rather like Sting in this video.
It is true that Dowland was one of the first to compose for the solo voice, but I don't believe that he had the modern 'classically trained' vocal in mind. Lute and voice were meant to blend into a sonorous contrapuntal whole, neither dominating the other, as if they were a single instrument. Conversely, in the bel canto style, the voice takes the foreground, while the lute is relegated to the status of accompaniment.
Sting does exactly the right thing by singing so plainly, eschewing the vibrato, trills, hand waving, eye-rolling and grimacing, and general bel canto operatic fruitiness that other artistes have employed.
+hdholl Considering us musicologists spend a lot of time researching and attempting to validate the historicity of performance, text, style, interpretation, cultural & social influences, etc., our 'wild guesses' would still be more accurate than what your idea of 'pure' art should be. In any case, I did mention to another responder that it is true that we will never know w/ 100% accuracy the things of the past; but trained music & historical researchers can at least make educated 'conjectures', like you call them. Your tastes, opinions, and preferences are just that - yours.
+L Crosby García We agree, don’t we? I have great respect for musicologists and their research. The closer they/you can get to the truth, the better. But the pursuit for historical accuracy is one thing, the quest for musical beauty another. Sometimes they go together and the one intensifies the other (like playing Bach on the period instruments of Harnoncourt’s Concentus Musicus), sometimes they clash and create ugliness (like playing Beethoven on rickety 18/19th C piano - I played a few bars on his own piano in Bonn - terrible). Sting also creates ugliness (to my ears, indeed) because of his terrible voice, not even because he is ‘historical’ (which I doubt). If he hadn’t been famous he probably wouldn’t have found a record company for this. Glenn Gould (and A. Hewitt) on the other hand, with all his historical knowledge, preferred playing Bach on a Steinway grand (without however using the pedal in respect for the polyphony) to create beauty and perfection (to my ears, again). Anyway: 'de la musique avant toute chose', as Paul Verlaine said. To you and all musicologists: keep up the good work!
hdholl True; however, I've come to the realization everything becomes an individual and/or a cultural preference, including the definition of "beauty".
I LOVE these songs and these musicians...
I think this is simply wonderful.
When I'm depressed, I choose this genre of music over country any day. As well as songs by Henry Purcell such as "The Cold Song" and "Death". Henry Purcell and John Dowland were great composers, and their compositions are ones to treasure a lifetime long.
Sade's early music hits me in the same spot
I love Andreas Scholl 's
interpretations of Dowland
and Purcell . . . .
♡
Sting makes this introspective song something of his own.
yeah, very deep, introspective, ... and spiritual...
I greatly appreciate Sting's effort to keep this timeless music relevant for today! 🖤🖤🖤
If you're interested: Check out our contemporary electrified version of "In Darkness": ruclips.net/video/FQxW_2CI5yE/видео.html 🎸
This song comes from my own life and soul.
I am coming late to the party but as they say, better late than never. Wow! I agree with a previous comment about these songs being written to be sung by the common man and woman but there is nothing common about this duo. Fantastic!
Haunting, beautiful, incredible!
Deepest interpretation !!! Bravo Sting !
That is a very nice jacket....
Thats really burning music.
I agree. Its so nice to hear such an unusual slant and boy does it work. I have to put any negative feelings to one side I may have about Sting and admit this is fabulous, dark and brooding . This is most powerful and moving, incredible infact.
open up this song in 2 tabs and try listening to it at the same time with the videos only 1 or 2 seconds apart. IT'S MAGICAL!!!!
My friend, that was genius! I put them 1 second apart, and the harmonies and counterpoint they produced were simply amazing. Such eeriness and melancholy!
.
😃
👍
Ohhh very coool! Listening now, 9 years later to just what you suggested!
You are so right
chills through my whole body. Sting's best album in my opinion. WOW
AGREE !
.
🤔
My God that is so beautiful!, and the Archlute is such a lovely soft and beautiful sound. Many thanks. Gérard lacey in Ireland. X.
Finally!
Finally, someone is singing the words instead of the supporting notes.
Thank you @JasonMasters
🤔
I thought it is about both . . . .
🎶
a song full lonleyness, of ´great dispair, performed with the most intensitivity and passion. thx sting, who I admire and who' s concert in Kassel I could not join. - Keep tuned and be so kind!
exceptional i really deeply enjoyed 1
My nephew died... and we buried him on top of my son... I know this darkness very well!!...
But I don't dwell there, for long... I'm constantly bathing in The Light of Yeshua!!! He is my Salvation from grief!!!......☝
I consider this a great and emotional version. We have to put music first, even when "philology" may not be followed at the maximum. In addition, this approach by Sting surely led people to know this music
👌🌺👍
Great lute playing
frissons ...demesure et dignité !
So fantastic, it brings me back to those medeival times and if I close my eyes, I feel like I'm somewhere in 16 century....
Un immense plaisir offert par Sting en compagnie de The Police comme dans le domaine solo!
As Matthew E hinted, the song was written in an era when emotional music was the fashion. I think this music dates from the time when the old tragedy classic "babes in the wood" became (in)famous. This song follows a similar theme by expressing despair instead of triumph.
Love It!
Perfection of perfomance.
REALLY fine arrangement.
You're right, you don't come off as haughty at all.
Kudos to Sting for introducing Dowland to his audience. As far as his performance, there's nothing at all wrong with box wine. I just hope that his fans don't let the haughtiness in some classical fans' reactions to it stop them short of developing a taste for fine wine.
I do admire Sting for his musicality. When I listen to his singing here with my classical ears on, it's rather a pain, judged from the values of art in classical singing. But, after all, he's building a bridge here, and I deeply acknowledge that. I'm singing mostly classical and do some Heavy Metal in between, so I do support the crossover. Music is human and global, when it's good.
A. von Uri, Switzerland
Love Dowland. His seeming penchant for melancholy reflects his life and his times. Really have enjoyed Sting's explorations in Labyrinth & elsewhere. "The Seaven Teares" melodic sequence nicely resembles Hijaz in Near Eastern music. Dowland was reportedly NOT a depressed person, in spite of the slings and arrows partly due to his Catholic identity.
I was surprised to find this to be my favourite version of the song, even after scouring the depths of RUclips
Agree completely Alek....this is....outstanding
No wonder...
.
🤔
A few years ago me, my dad, and brother in-law saw these two doing a song on PBS together, Actually, I think it was this very song. But anyway, Ever since then I've seen Mr. Karamazov several times, performing everything from Dowland to Bach, very well I might add. It was very suprising to hear Mr. Karamazov say it couldn't be compared to anything and it's his favorite.
Why not...Edin is very sensitive and deep person...with misterious Slavic soul...
@@simonidastankovic2627 I agree, indeed you are quite right. I simply meant that at the time I was somewhat surprised that of all the music that Edin knows and knows of and is familiar with, it was this song that made the biggest impact on him and struck him the most. There is so much music in the world that is beautiful, expressive and passionate, but it would seem that perhaps he found these lyrics to be particularly relatable to himself, as do many other people I'm sure. I know I do.
wonderful
REALLY LIKE THIS VERSION
Dang, this performance really brings out everything about this song that strikes us as jarringly modern. It's a 400+-year-old song, but Sting's attention to timbre makes it sound very up to date, in a way that more conventional performances don't.
The only performance I've heard that's as good as/more moving than this is by Mark Padmore, and that's high praise.
Man! This guy managed to encapsulate clinical depression into only six lines!
Brilliant!
Have Sting's Labyrinth album, Karamazov is an outstanding lutinist, and Sting has brought this music to the attention of a wider audience. I like the interpretation by Ellen Hargis also on you tube. personal preference, not to deminish Sting.
Karamazov collaborates now
with german countertenor
Andreas Scholl , who is the best .
♡
Magnífico
WOW!! I never hear this song. It's Wonderfull !! Great lirycs.
Check out other interpretations
of it . . . .
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Lots of comments debating whether Sting's performance is technically correct - to me what matters is this performance is really interesting to listen to.
I've listened to a number of more classical performances and none of them make this song at once as memorable, interesting and engaging as Sting's.
Gentle and beautiful harmonies are really beautiful. How do you complete the way of singing that pierces the core thinly? Is it a talent you were born with? I love
Nice to see him cover this
rock'n roll ce "hellish jarring sounds" !
Dowland is so beautifull that even this interpretation cannot ruin it.
al or how else would a new generation who never otherwise would have heard it, hear it?...i appreciate the effort, knocked my socks off when it came out last decade
elizabrths favourite musician john Dowland ,on which she hit the dance floor with Robert dudley...
Listen to this unforgettable song on Faire, Sweet, Cruell, Elizabethan Songs performed by Christina Hogman. In fact, the entire recording is exquisite.
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👍
In darkness let me dwell; the ground shall sorrow be,
The roof despair, to bar all cheerful light from me;
The walls of marble black, that moist'ned still shall weep;
My music, hellish jarring sounds, to banish friendly sleep.
Thus, wedded to my woes, and bedded in my tomb,
O let me dying live, till death doth come, till death doth come.
In darkness let me dwell
John Dowland i Sting to świetnie brzmi.
“…silence is the perfect music….” Indeed it is….as the space bears the sound of perfectionism….I guess this is what happens if we feel it instead of listening…
its funny how people will disregard sting entirely, considering we have no recordings of what people sounded like in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Perhaps singers did take this approach? As some other viewers said, i do enjoy the heightened drama Sting brings by speaking the text emphatically. Personally, i admire (and prefer) Hargis's interpretation for its crystalline acuity and superb ensemble. But why should that prevent sting from presenting his two cents?
I love Andreas Scholl 's
interpretations of Dowland . . .
.
Ах-ринеть , как здорово ! ))) *
Hilarious conversation, including the gem "I've always maintained that silence is the perfect music"
Good effort though - doing these songs :) Love a bit of Dowland
And he said it right.....Silence....proves that he is real Musician and very spiritual man.
A quote of my friend upon hearing this "Oh Sting, where is thy death?"
One of the FUNNIEST things I have ever read. Well played indeed kris.
Well, Kris. You’ve had 7 years with few comments. Hardly worth it Really.
No doubt by now you have your own “ Superior Version”, On Record And Ready
for us to hear. I look forward to it !.
@@johnfenner347 Ha, Ha !
ask your friend where is his ?
Braviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Edin Karamazov & Sting. "In Darkness Let Me Dwell" by
John Dowland it is fantastic. ~
ТАКО ЈЕ ДРАГИЦЕ...ОВО ЈЕ БРЕ ГЕНИЈАЛНО !!! ДОУЛАНД СЕ ТОПИ ОД СРЕЋЕ У РАЈУ !
He is quite the renaissance man. Pun is very much intended.
Oh Sting I do like you, and your voice is undeniably interesting in this early work, but oh god please watch your vowels.
Uhu... Different. Nice barrels! :)
I love how the lutenist looks like he's making love to the lute. He also looks like a young Snape
yes, a bit silly at times
@@briancrowley6413 It's would only be silly if it were faked for effect. But it's not faked, it's completely genuine.
Wow
Great version by Sting. I had a go at updating Dowland myself earning a slightly stuffy response from those in the classical world but entertaining those in blues world. Enjoyed myself, learned a lot and still love listening the original pieces played by early music buffs. If you're interested in my attempts on blues slide guitar then go to my carsickphil channel and see what you think. There's a version of Mr Dowland's Midnight and Orlando Sleepeth available among my videos.
Sting singing Dowland ---- Now I'm convinced
STINGING DOWLAND !
I personally prefer "Come again" in this album, but Sting always thrills. Just in tempo, just in mood: "Semper Dowland, semper dolens".
IMÁDOM!!!!!
@pianomags Kudos on using reckon.
Sting is OK on this record but got DAMN karamazov played the hell outta that thing!!!
No wonder Karamazov collaborates
with Andreas Scholl now.
It is definitly the better choice !
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Where are the lyrics? I cant figure some of them out and need to know them all.
I would honestly appreciate reading a meaningful critical comment on this, but most of the critics (even the condescendingly approving ones) seem to be writing with an assumption that there is a "correct classical voice/method" for this kind of music - which is very dubious not only historically but philosophically as well.
Even if a composition was indeed written with a particular kind of performance in mind, that doesn't de-merit different performances - e.g. Bach never wrote for piano but that doesn't stop us from enjoying Bach on piano.
So what's exactly inherently good or bad about this performance would be far more interesting to read than how it differs from "the proper classical way".
@danablett what i think he means by "the counterpoint is very awkward, eerie, mysterious" is the way that the harmonic relationship between the 2 instruments constantly change on a note per note basis and in a fairly non traditional way... lets not forget that the definition of counterpoint is "point to point" i can totally understand what he is saying. I don't see how you don't get this... ive been to your channel, ive watch some videos, you are smart and talented. Why bother picking on Sting?
@dconn445 Thank for correcting me...
I've got a 60s recording by Peter Pears, his voice is more pure but sounds quite sanitised. I really like this alternative interpretation. It is a strange song, full of assonance and certainly not cheerful. About being in deep depression I suppose.
Yes, it's Dowland. My mistake.
@JasonMasters Dowling or Dowland?
Could you give me several examples of "other level of musical enjoyment"?
The artist field should also list Dowland, just as every song released by Brittany should have had the composer prominently written all over the place. Dowland is mentioned but should be on equal footing with Sting.
Drinking game: take a drink every hair flip
drinking game Sting has no hair
@pianomags Well said.
I want that theorbo
Raoni te saúda, Dowland!
Please, tell me, who is this superb lute-player?
EDIN KARAMAZOV from BOSNIA, EX-YUGOSLAVIA.