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 Sting will release later this year (autumn 2006) an album featuring compositions from John Dowland (1563 - 1626), entitled "Songs from the Labyrinth". The album will be released on 16 October on the Deutsche Grammophon label.
Special thing is that the songs were recorded, playing the lute, together with Edin Karamazov, a Bosnian lute player. A charismatic player, Edin Karamazov has received universal praise in the USA and Europe for his thrilling solo recitals; he has performed with leading international early music ensembles. His commitment to exploring the importance of plucked instruments in different cultures breaks down barriers and ranges across nations.
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(Source: Naxos, Deutsche Grammophon, Evening Chronicle, StingUs)
Tracklist is as following:
Sting - Songs from the Labyrinth
Music by John Dowland
JOHN DOWLAND (1563-1626)
1. Walsingham [038]
Ballad setting for lute; Poulton no. 672
2. She excuse my wrongs? [236]
The Earl of Essexs Galliard; First Booke of Songes, 1597, no. 53
3. Ryght honorable: as I have bin most bounde unto your honor ..." [040]
Letter to Sir Robert Cecil, Nuremberg, 10 November 1595
4. My tears (Lachrimae) [442]
Second Booke of Songes, 1600, no. 2
ROBERT JOHNSON (1583-1633)
5. You seen the bright lily grow [235]
from Ben Jonson: The Devil is an Ass, 1616
JOHN DOWLAND
6. ...Then in time passing on Mr. Johnson died..." [032]
Letter to Sir Robert Cecil (cont.)
7. Most High and Mighty Christianus the Fourth, King of Denmark, His Galliard [301]
for lute, Poulton no. 40
8. Lowest trees have tops [216]
Third Booke of Songes, 1603, no. 19
9. ...And accordinge as I desired ther cam a letter..." [055]
Letter to Sir Robert Cecil (cont.)
10. Knacks for ladies [150]
< Second Booke of Songs, 1600, no. 12
11. ...From thenc I went to the Landgrave of Hessen..." [024]
Letter to Sir Robert Cecil (cont.)
12. Fantasy [242]
for lute, Poulton no. 6
13. Come, heavy sleep [345]
First Booke of Songes, 1597, no. 20
14. Forlorn Hope Fancy [307]
for lute, Poulton no. 2
15. ...And from thence I had great desire to see Italy..." [029]
Letter to Sir Robert Cecil (cont.)
16. Come again [256]
First Booke of Songes, 1597, no. 17
17. Wilt thou unkind thus reave me [240]
First Booke of Songes, 1597, no. 15
18. ...After my departure I caled to mynde our conference..." [029]
Letter to Sir Robert Cecil (cont.)
19. Weep you no more, sad fountains [238]
Third Booke of Songes, 1603, no. 15
20. My Lord Willoughbys Welcome Home [134]
Version for two lutes; Poulton no. 66
21. Clear or cloudy [247]
Second Booke of Songes, 1600, no. 21
22. ...Men say that the Kinge of Spain is making gret preparation..." [101]
Letter to Sir Robert Cecil (cont.)
23. In darkness let me dwell [407]
A Musicall Banquet, 1610, no. 10
Sting, vocal & archlute (9, 15, 20)
Edin Karamazov, lute & archlute
 John Dowland, of English or possibly Irish origin, was born in 1563, probably in London. He was a lutenist of distinction but failed, allegedly because he was a Catholic, to win a position in the royal service, seeking his fortune abroad at Kassel and later, in 1598, at the court of Christian IV of Denmark. He was forced by debt to return to England in 1606 and eventually won appointment as one of the King's Lutes in 1612. He performed during the funeral ceremonies of King James I and himself died the following year. Dowland was the composer, in particular, of one of the best known songs of the period, Flow my teares, music much imitated, epitomising the fashionable humour of the day, melancholy. Dowland was above all the composer of lute-songs, publishing his first collection of airs in 1597, followed by a second in 1600 and a third in 1603. He left over eighty secular songs and these include Come again: sweet love doth now endite, Fine knacks for ladies and Flow my teares, among many others of moving intensity.
For the lute itself Dowland wrote Fantasias, and dance-movements, including Pavanes, Galliards, Almains and Jigs. Other Instrumental Music The best known of Dowland's instrumental compositions is his famous Lachrimae or Seaven Teares, for five viols and lute. This work includes a series of dance-movements, chiefly Galliards, and solemn Pavanes, using the theme familiar from the lute-song Flow my teares.
(Source: Naxos)
This is the press release:
Press Release Source: Universal Music Classics Group
Sting Releases New Album of Early Music on Deutsche Grammophon
Wednesday June 7, 3:57 pm ET
Songs from the Labyrinth
NEW YORK, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- This autumn Sting ventures into "new" musical territory with an album featuring the music of acclaimed Elizabethan songwriter, John Dowland (1563-1626). Sting is joined on this recording by much-admired lutenist Edin Karamazov, in what he describes as "a soundtrack to Dowland's life in words and music". Songs from the Labyrinth will appear on Deutsche Grammophon, the world's most celebrated classical-music record-label.
In the early 1980s, Sting was first introduced to the music of John Dowland and has confessed that his music has been "gently haunting" him for more than twenty years. "About two years ago my long-time guitarist, Dominic Miller, gave me a gift that he'd had made for me, a lute -- a sixteenth-century instrument with lots of strings. I became fascinated with it and immersed myself in lute music. It rekindled an interest I've had for a long time in the works of John Dowland, who wrote a number of fantastic lute songs. Dowland was really the first English singer/songwriter that we know of and so many of us owe our living to this man."
John Dowland's life was a colorful one. Before becoming court lutenist to James I in 1612, he had spent most of his career abroad in the service of kings, dukes, and princes throughout Europe, where he was recognized as one of the greatest musicians of his day. In 1595 Dowland wrote a letter to Queen Elizabeth I's Secretary of State, Sir Robert Cecil, pleading his allegiance to the English throne in the hope of an invitation back to England and into the Royal Court. He would have to wait a further seventeen years before his wish came true. It is extracts from this extraordinary letter which Sting incorporates into this album as short recitations, re-creating a flavor of Dowland's life and times.
"This project was never really meant to be a record. It was a labor of love. I wanted to learn these songs, and out of curiosity, Edin and I just kept going. I think it only became a record when we decided to put extracts of this letter in. Those that are familiar with John Dowland normally think of him as being this melancholy, doom-laden character; but he can write songs that are absolutely joyful -- full of passion and happiness. He has it all."
Sting continues, "I'm not a trained singer for this repertoire, but I'm hoping that I can bring some freshness to these songs that perhaps a more experienced singer wouldn't give. For me they are pop songs written around 1600 and I relate to them in that way; beautiful melodies, fantastic lyrics, and great accompaniments."
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