Learn to Play Recorder

Pavane Lachrymae (Flow my tears)

  • Sustain a slow, expressive pavane line
  • Resolve G# leading tones smoothly to A

Composer: Jacob van Eyck (based on John Dowland) (c. 1590-1657)

Notes Used: D, E, F, G, G#, A, B, C (high), D (high)

Key: A minor

Form: Theme and Variations on Dowland's Lachrimae

Theme - Dowland's Lachrimae

Dowland's "Flow my tears" melody, learned phrase by phrase.

The descending tetrachord A-G-F-E opens "Flow my tears."

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 4 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 4 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 4 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 4 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 4 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439

The answer circles the G# leading tone before rising to C.

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439

Let the G# resolve onto a long final A.

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439

Variation 1 - Gentle Diminutions

Keep the melancholic outline through the eighth-note divisions.

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 4 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 4 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 4 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 3 4 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 4 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 4 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 3 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 4 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 4

Variation 2 - Elaborate Lament

Keep the sixteenths flowing into the final cadence.

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 2 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439 Engraved by Verovio 6.2.1-8d42439

Performance Practice Notes

  • Tempo: ♩ = 55, slow and stately
  • G# fingering: Smooth on every leading-tone resolution
  • Ornamentation: Sighing appoggiaturas at phrase ends

Performance Goal: Play the pavane at ♩ = 55 with a darker tone and every G# resolving smoothly onto A.