Breathtaking. I am in my second year of lute playing, alas a bit late in life but it is performances like this that keep that zeal burning. This had the feel of improvisation and dignity.
It is a glorious thing to see this kind of mastery and perfection on so very difficult an instrument. Tuomas Kourula is inhabited by the spirit of John Downland and is able to summon him at will... One can sense one's soul being healed by this performance...
Esta peça musical é muito importante para mim também. Traz uma carga nostálgica muito intensa, de um período da minha vida e pessoas que foram muito importantes ao conjunto do meu ser. Uma belíssima execução.
C'est un superbe hommage que vous rendez à votre papa..votre interprétation est magnifique et tellement juste ..cette profondeur..ce toucher...votre père reçoit certainement toutes ces belles ondes qui se propagent dans l'Au- Delà... certainement..ces ondes..qui se meuvent en ricochets... merci pour votre très belle interprétation.....ainsi va la vie..continuez ..continuez de jouer .. cordialement Martine
I love your process, Thomas. You elect to create beauty in the eternal present. Yours is not the Pilgrim's path. I am grateful for the light that passes through your being.
@@OpheliaEnsemble The temple religions seek to diminish the ego (mind-body interface) through intimidation, with grandiose structures and ceremonies ....... the open-structured religions have spiritual practices and disciplines that over time, seek to harmonize the ego with its surroundings (environment)....... The yogic arts...the 8-fold path of Buddhism...etc; etc;... You are the greatest of all of these... the artist...whose dreams of beauty are the sole desire of the "One"..the God-Self.... of which we are just expressions of that desire ....... I'm writing a book called "The Architecture of Sanctuary"... You are gravitating toward the Lute and those places where it sounds so grand... and you are listening to the beauty as you create it......... as the melancholy Dowland did in his grace....... J
Such a beautiful piece. I actually fell in love with this piece when I was around the age of eight. From there my father started playing all sorts of Renaissance music for me and eventually I went on to study it at university.
Thank you very much. You managed to bring out the meditative atmosphere that made me dream away and let my mind wander back to other times. It was wonderful.
There is beauty that hurts. Sometimes you encounter something which is very lovely and moving, and at the same time, it stirs a certain sadness inside of you. I believed it was because I would never be able to become a part of that beauty; for example, the aria Alto giove, from Polifemo, used to make me feel like I wanted to be music, as absurd as it sounds, and it pained me to know I would never be. However, this video has made me realise it was a subtly different thing: the pain of loss, in a general, broader sense. It can be the loss of an opportunity, of things that will never be, or which will be no more. The time ticking away, the people who are left behind. This one version of the pavan Lachrimae Antiquae, best known to me in its vocal version Flow my Tears, has made me realise, or maybe remember, all of that. Every string stroked hurts. Every perfectly timed resolution feels like a sigh of respite in the middle of mourning. And Tuomas’ breathing, and his face. I hadn’t read the video’s description yet, but I could feel there was something deep and hard there, even if I didn’t know what. This is one of the most subtly powerful performances I have ever witnessed. So generous, so profoundly personal. It pains a little, but I cannot stop playing it over and over. I feel a lot of respect and admiration. I truly am struck. Congratulations and my best wishes to you. You are a gem.
@@OpheliaEnsemble No, thank you! What can I say? I love writing since when I was a kid (in my native tongue, which is not English, of course!). But you deserve every word. Lots of love from Spain!
Well performed, well recorded, and your fine attention to intonation (it sounds like you've adjusted your frets to obtain purer thirds) is appreciated. The church (which provides the natural reverb) should probably be credited as well by adding its name and location to the video description above.
@@charlielucas3386 It's a particular way of tuning an instrument, very different from the usual way (equal temperament). Explaining it can get complicated quickly, but learning it is worth it - the difference in sound and purity of chords is night and day. You can learn about it yourself by googling it, if you're a bit academically inclined, but easiest would be to find a person familiar with different temperaments and have them show how these things work in practice.
OMG what a very sad story--I am so sorry for your loss. It's beautifully played! May I ask from which MS or book this one is (there are several versions of this celebrated piece, as you know, but some RUclips viewers might not, and I always muddle up which is which).
Such a beautiful performance! Could you please tell me what strings you are using? My relatives recently gave me a lute and I put nylon strings on it and it almost sounds like a classical guitar, not at all like yours!
I don't remember exactly what the strings were, but they were synthetic, probably Savarez. They were not gut. The strings do have a big effect, but of course the instrument as well, how lightly it's built.
beautiful music, beautiful place, it's a pity it's so empty. Let us remember that Christianity was and is culture-forming. If we forget about our origins and culture, we will not know who we are. ❤
Semplicemente "celestiale": grazie maestro, il tuo strumento e la tua sensibilità interpretativa toccano le corde del sentimento.
E le tue bellissime e poetiche parole sono molto apprezzate! Grazie!
Why does the lute make one happy and sad at the same time? Dowland knew how to that.
I think that succesful art often does that - but perhaps lute and Dowland is a particularly good combination.
There is, imho, no more nobly melancholic music than this piece of Dowland's. Truly this is "semper Dowland semper dolens".
The same rose I had on my lute, which I sold long ago. The only thing I regret in this life. Wonderful performance, and truly divine.
Thomann has some at decent price. Get another.
This is an amazing recording. The tone is warm with clarity and the reverb has a nice decay. Great playing and ornamentation.
Thank you, your words are very welcome: it's not easy to capture the sound of the lute. Very happy to hear the effort has been succesful here!
OH MY LORD GOD, THIS IS A HEAVEN PIECE , A MASTERPIECE HEALING NOTES , ART !!!
Yes, a wonderful composition!
Absolutely wonderful, tempo, sound and musicality at it best
It melts thank you for sharing beauty
Thank you, how wonderful that you left such a beautiful comment!
One rarely hears such a modest and heartfelt performance of this piece.
Thank you!
Muy buena melodía pero ya ves Dónde está es música religiosa dicen q en esos lugares os mejores músicos allí se formaron
Magnífica interpretación de la obra de Dowland, el sonido del instrumento es perfecto el intérprete fantástico.
Quelle finesse musicale, merci pour ce petit bijou!
Merci beaucoup!
If music stirs the soul then this is heaven .
Thank you!
John Dowland music takes our souls through the time to misterious worlds.. brilliant!!
It really does, thank you for the comment!
Immaculate presentation for such beautiful music!
Bravo! Not only for the beautifully accentuated, crystal clear music. Also for the dignity of the chosen setting.
Many thanks for your gracious comment!
Breathtaking. I am in my second year of lute playing, alas a bit late in life but it is performances like this that keep that zeal burning. This had the feel of improvisation and dignity.
Thank you, Jeremy! Keep it up - it gets easier as you go along, and more rewarding all the time.
What a beatiful memento of my son. Thank you, Tuomas!
Wunderschön gespielt! Heinz from austria
It is a glorious thing to see this kind of mastery and perfection on so very difficult an instrument. Tuomas Kourula is inhabited by the spirit of John Downland and is able to summon him at will... One can sense one's soul being healed by this performance...
Thank you for your precious words! It's not easy to accept such high praise, but I'll do my best! 😉
Esta peça musical é muito importante para mim também. Traz uma carga nostálgica muito intensa, de um período da minha vida e pessoas que foram muito importantes ao conjunto do meu ser. Uma belíssima execução.
C'est un superbe hommage que vous rendez à votre papa..votre interprétation est magnifique et tellement juste ..cette profondeur..ce toucher...votre père reçoit certainement toutes ces belles ondes qui se propagent dans l'Au- Delà... certainement..ces ondes..qui se meuvent en ricochets... merci pour votre très belle interprétation.....ainsi va la vie..continuez ..continuez de jouer .. cordialement Martine
Лучшее исполнение, из всех что я слышал.
Quelle pureté sonore Tuomas , un modèle pour chaque joueur de luth 😮
This has washed my heart.
Flow my Tears - a beautiful piece. Beautifully rendered.
what visual beauty of the church and audio beauty of this man playing. This is God given talent
Thank you for the comment, Brian!
stunning. an instrument that inspired bach no less! Danke!
What a master.
So beautiful and so sacred music.
Brings me back to a time before time began.
Bellissima musica. Bellissimo strumento
Awsome!!!
Minha nossa!!! Que interpretação sensível e uma sonoridade extraordinária nessa pequena igreja! Parabéns Thomas.
Obrigado pelo seu gentil comentário!
I love your process, Thomas. You elect to create beauty in the eternal present. Yours is not the Pilgrim's path. I am grateful for the light that passes through your being.
Thank you! Although the part about the Pilgrim's path remained somewhat mysterious to me - maybe you can tell us more?
@@OpheliaEnsemble The temple religions seek to diminish the ego (mind-body interface) through intimidation, with grandiose structures and ceremonies ....... the open-structured religions have spiritual practices and disciplines that over time, seek to harmonize the ego with its surroundings (environment)....... The yogic arts...the 8-fold path of Buddhism...etc; etc;...
You are the greatest of all of these... the artist...whose dreams of beauty are the sole desire of the "One"..the God-Self.... of which we are just expressions of that desire ....... I'm writing a book called "The Architecture of Sanctuary"...
You are gravitating toward the Lute and those places where it sounds so grand... and you are listening to the beauty as you create it......... as the melancholy Dowland did in his grace....... J
This has been a favourite of mine since I was 22. Such a wonderful, sensitive performance.
Thank you for commenting!
Such a beautiful piece. I actually fell in love with this piece when I was around the age of eight. From there my father started playing all sorts of Renaissance music for me and eventually I went on to study it at university.
A wonderful story, thank you for sharing it with us!
wow. Simply WOW. Perfecto
Thank you very much. You managed to bring out the meditative atmosphere that made me dream away and let my mind wander back to other times. It was wonderful.
Thank you for leaving such an appreciative comment! People like you give us strength to go on.
I love your work and your painterly style thanks.
Thank you, a wonderful comment!
Gorgeous phrasing, so heartfelt. Melody is so clear and expressive. Thank you !
Thank you for the comment!
Wow amazing tone and reverb ❤️
Thanks, lovely comment!
Absolutely polished and expressive, beautiful tone.
Thank you for a wonderful comment!
thank you Sir, for the divine pleasure...!
Thank you for your beautiful comment!
magnificent playing! wow ! thank you for that!
Thank you for your comment, it is much appreciated indeed!
One of the best interpretations I have ever heard
Wonderful, thank you!
Mucho gusto, mucha sensibilidad
Muchas gracias!
What a touching performance. Marvelously played.
Thank you!
There is beauty that hurts. Sometimes you encounter something which is very lovely and moving, and at the same time, it stirs a certain sadness inside of you. I believed it was because I would never be able to become a part of that beauty; for example, the aria Alto giove, from Polifemo, used to make me feel like I wanted to be music, as absurd as it sounds, and it pained me to know I would never be. However, this video has made me realise it was a subtly different thing: the pain of loss, in a general, broader sense. It can be the loss of an opportunity, of things that will never be, or which will be no more. The time ticking away, the people who are left behind.
This one version of the pavan Lachrimae Antiquae, best known to me in its vocal version Flow my Tears, has made me realise, or maybe remember, all of that. Every string stroked hurts. Every perfectly timed resolution feels like a sigh of respite in the middle of mourning. And Tuomas’ breathing, and his face. I hadn’t read the video’s description yet, but I could feel there was something deep and hard there, even if I didn’t know what.
This is one of the most subtly powerful performances I have ever witnessed. So generous, so profoundly personal. It pains a little, but I cannot stop playing it over and over. I feel a lot of respect and admiration. I truly am struck. Congratulations and my best wishes to you. You are a gem.
What a comment, thank you! You have elevated commenting on RUclips to a form of art, for which we are grateful 🥰
@@OpheliaEnsemble No, thank you! What can I say? I love writing since when I was a kid (in my native tongue, which is not English, of course!). But you deserve every word. Lots of love from Spain!
@@Francesc1983 That makes perfect sense, you have such command of the written word!
Magnifique, merci
What a stunning sound!
What a wonderful comment!
Thank you beautifully played
Such a simple and beautiful interpretation.
An absolutely beautiful performance. Marvellous sound, lovely playing. Masterly x .
Thank you!
Beautiful… Thank you.
Thank you for commenting!
Que maravilha amigo.
Obrigado
Again another wonderful performance. Congratulation and God bless you.
Great immortal masterpiece
In the hands of a master player
Thank you ❤
Many thanks for commenting so beautifully! It is a wonderful piece!
😍 Transporting ! ❤
Thank you!
Beautiful! I am playing this piece and you are my inspiration 😁 👍
Wonderful! We would love to hear you play, if you make a video of it!
Excellent performance & presentation! :o)
Thank you for your comment! It's very much appreciated, gives us energy to go on!
Magnifique
Well performed, well recorded, and your fine attention to intonation (it sounds like you've adjusted your frets to obtain purer thirds) is appreciated. The church (which provides the natural reverb) should probably be credited as well by adding its name and location to the video description above.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment! You're right, I should add the information about the church in the description.
Truly wonderful music beautifully played..Thank you.❤️👍
Thank you!
Beautiful.
Superbe interprétation, la vidéo est belle, c'est un plus. Merci et bravo !
Merci beaucoup! 🥰
Stunning.
Thank you for this beautiful playing ❤😊
Thank you for your kind comment!
Excelente. Maravillosa interpretación y muy buena toma de sonido. Wow
Gracias!
Ah, that's the real stuff right there.
Thank you, I'm glad you like it!
Lute music is truly amazing!! I love this so much!! 👍🏻
Thank you, Charlie!
@@OpheliaEnsemble You’re very welcome! 😉 Any tips I can use for when I eventually get my own lute?
Yes - meantone is best and try to play with others as much as possible 😊
@@OpheliaEnsemble What is meantone? 🤔
@@charlielucas3386 It's a particular way of tuning an instrument, very different from the usual way (equal temperament). Explaining it can get complicated quickly, but learning it is worth it - the difference in sound and purity of chords is night and day. You can learn about it yourself by googling it, if you're a bit academically inclined, but easiest would be to find a person familiar with different temperaments and have them show how these things work in practice.
ç'est magnifique !
Very beautiful
Sublime!!!!
Many thanks, dear Matteo!
Exquisite.
Lovely.
Best recording ive found so far. Thank you for controlling your breathing and nice echo chamber choice
Bravo!
Exquisite tone!
Thank you! Your comment makes me glad!
Why have i never heard of john dowlin brilliant
It's great that you discovered his music now!
Just perfect
Beautiful !
Thank you, Brian!
So sad, because it's over after4:43 😢
So beautyfull, thank you
Thank you for the beautiful words!
❣️🤗 Thanks
Força, amigo, vc teve o Dawland p te ajudar nessa passagem difícil.
OMG what a very sad story--I am so sorry for your loss. It's beautifully played! May I ask from which MS or book this one is (there are several versions of this celebrated piece, as you know, but some RUclips viewers might not, and I always muddle up which is which).
Thank you for your comment! This version is from Cambridge University Library Manusript Dd.5.78.3, but with some small changes.
Beautiful playing..ancd beautiful sounding lute..which maker?
The lute in the video is by Stephen Barber, from around 1990.
Does anybody know what church this is? It is beautiful.
It's the St. Catharine's church (Katariinankirkko) in Turku, Finland. It is a beautiful small medieval stone church.
@@OpheliaEnsemble Thank you, much appreciated.
Beautiful. What church is this? It has a high alter... Very uncommon and very traditional
Thank you! It is St. Catherine's church here in Turku, Finland. It's from the 15th century.
Beautiful. Where was this shot?
In St. Catharine's church (Katariinankirkko) in Turku, Finland
Such a beautiful performance!
Could you please tell me what strings you are using?
My relatives recently gave me a lute and I put nylon strings on it and it almost sounds like a classical guitar, not at all like yours!
I don't remember exactly what the strings were, but they were synthetic, probably Savarez. They were not gut. The strings do have a big effect, but of course the instrument as well, how lightly it's built.
@@OpheliaEnsemble thank you!
¿Cómo se llama ese instrumento?
Laúd
H E A V E N L Y ❤ M U S I C
Thank you!
Such a beautiful piece and performance! Thank you! (Also, who is the lute maker?)
Thank you! The lute you see in this video was made by the late Stephen Barber in 1990's.
beautiful music, beautiful place, it's a pity it's so empty. Let us remember that Christianity was and is culture-forming. If we forget about our origins and culture, we will not know who we are. ❤
On kyllä mykistävä esitys.
aivan mahtava!