Questions and Answers
What era was Dowland composing in?
Late renaissance/early Baroque
What type of work is Flow My Tears?
Pavan - slow stately dance in duple time
When was Flow My Tears published?
1600
What instruments is the piece written for?
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What type of vocalist sings here?
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Which instrument provides the accompaniment?
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Which instrument provides the bass line and why is this significant?
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What is the vocal range?
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What is the predominant texture?
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What texture could the lute be described as?
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When does the lute play a four part chord, making five parts with the voice?
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When does the lute play as many as six notes?
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What interesting texture can be seen in bars 12-14?
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What makes the structure typical of a pavan?
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Are there the same number of syllables for each line?
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How is the song unified?
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Which cadence does section A end on?
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Which cadence does section B end on?
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What cadence does section C end on?
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What is the key (but what modal inflections does it contain)?
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What key does section B open in?
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What position are most chords?
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When is there a second inversion chord?
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Cadences are frequent - what do they tend to be?
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How is the harmony typical of the late Renaissance period?
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Give an example of a dominant pedal in the piece.
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What is the vocal range?
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Syllabic or melismatic?
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What effect does the falling 4th in the opening have?
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What can be heard on the word 'hell'?
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What does the passage of quaver rests from bars 12-14 reflect?
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What is significant about the melody on 'happie'?
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What is the overall metre of the piece?
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What is significant rhythmically about bar 19?
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Are bars rhythmically similar?
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How does Dowland try and accommodate the natural stresses and shapes of the words?
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How does the rhythm of the bassline compare to the melody?
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Study Notes
General Information
- Dowland composed during the late Renaissance and early Baroque era.
- "Flow My Tears" is classified as a Pavan, which is a slow and stately dance in duple time.
- The piece was published in 1600.
Forces
- Written for voice, lute, and bass viol.
- Typically features a countertenor as the vocalist.
- The accompaniment is provided by the lute, while the bass line is played by the bass viol, highlighting the growing importance of bass in music.
- The vocal range of the piece extends across a ninth.
Texture
- The predominant texture is melody with accompaniment.
- The lute often employs a contrapuntal texture.
- A notable moment occurs in bar 1 when the lute plays a four-part chord, effectively creating five parts with the voice.
- In bar 16, the lute can be heard playing as many as six notes.
- Imitation is present between the vocal solo and lute in bars 12-14.
Structure
- The structure is typical of a Pavan, tripartite (AABBCC) with each section repeated.
- Lines vary in the number of syllables, which also affects the music.
- The song is unified by material derived from the opening four-note figure throughout the parts.
- Section A ends with a perfect cadence, section B with a Phrygian cadence (IVb-V), and section C also ends on a perfect cadence.
Tonality
- The key is A minor, featuring Aeolian inflections.
- Section B starts in C major but concludes with a Phrygian cadence back in A minor.
Harmony
- Most chords are in first and root positions, with a second inversion chord occurring in bar 21.
- Frequent cadences, predominantly perfect or Phrygian, characterize the harmony.
- Typical of the late Renaissance, harmony features a tierce de picardie in perfect cadences, with decorations through suspensions and false relations.
- A dominant pedal is established at the start of Section C.
Melody
- The vocal range again spans a ninth.
- Primarily syllabic, with some melismatic lines such as on "my-y."
- The opening features a falling fourth that corresponds with the text's melancholy, known as the "grief motif."
- The word "hell" includes a diminished fourth, establishing a dramatic effect.
- Quaver rests from bars 12-14 reflect a narrative of gasping for air, signifying "tears and sighs and groans."
- The word "happie" is significant, as its first syllable receives the highest note in the melody.
Rhythm
- The overall metre is slow simple quadruple time, typical for a Pavan.
- Bar 19 features a rhythmic significance with six crotchet beats (3/2 time).
- There are mostly unique rhythmic patterns across bars, with only two bars being rhythmically similar, showcasing Dowland's inventiveness.
- Tied and dotted notes, along with rests and syncopation, are employed to accommodate the natural stresses and shapes of the text.
- The bass line moves in rhythmic counterpoint compared to the melody.
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Description
Test your knowledge of John Dowland's composition 'Flow My Tears' through these flashcards. Explore the historical context, publication details, and the instrumentation of this late Renaissance piece. Perfect for music students or enthusiasts wanting to delve deeper into Dowland's work.
