iSound

Imagine a culture in which persons with even a modest education not only knew poets and musicians by name, but could also quote passages of poetry from memory. In our world, such erudition is largely the province of academic scholars. The average audience member at a concert of vocal music depends on program notes and song texts to enhance appreciation of the performance.

England in the 17th century was a different story. In addition to the aristocracy, many members of the middle class were well acquainted with both poetry and music. English composers capitalized on this knowledge, exploring ways to meld the messages of text and sound in ways that heightened sensory impact.

Elizabethan and Jacobean England boasted the finest musicians in the western world and a stable of stellar composers equal to those of any other country. This disc celebrates the titans John Dowland and Henry Purcell, who stand as colossal bookends at opposite ends of the 17th century. While the...