February 21, 2025, at 6.30 in the Parish Hall of Saint Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman, Berkeley
Hallifax & Jeffrey (viols) with John Lenti (lute)
Music of Bitter Enemies: Dowland and Hume
Barefoot’s February concert features the House Band, the eponymous and celebrated Hallifax & Jeffrey (Peter Hallifax and Julie Jeffrey, viols), with fabulous guest John Lenti, lutenist to the stars, in a concert that pits two musical giants of the early 1600s, Tobias Hume and John Dowland, against each other.
Dowland and Hume clearly despised each other, but served the same monarch and “fought” in the same musical arena, the Jacobean court system. Dowland was the pre-eminent lutenist of his generation, travelled widely in Europe, but published much music in England. He played the lute, wrote lute music, lute songs (songs with lute obligato accompaniment), and instrumental music involving the lute.
Dowland was a spy. Hume was a soldier. Does that explain the difference?
Tobias Hume, a Scot brought to England with the court of James 1 (aka James VI of Scotland, which was his original royal gig), was a viol player, a composer of music for the viol, of consorts involving viols, and songs with viol accompaniments. He also travelled widely on the continent, while also publishing his music in London. He seems to have been an autodidact, and ignored many of the rules of music theorists. His music is idiosyncratic, hilarious, passionate, and whimsical.
Dowland, an Englishman, a fabulous and storied lutenist, was also a consummate (and published) theorist, highly skilled at complex counterpoint, and as a composer, elegant to a fault.
They both complained of the other man’s pretensions, and scorned each other, publicly and in writing.
It can fairly be said that neither man had the success they deserved in their lifetimes, but both are regarded today as pioneers of their instruments and compositional geniuses.
This concert features music for viols (by Hume), music for lute (by Dowland) and some of each man’s music played on viols with a lute. A fascinating window into early 17th century musical life and strife.
6.30 pm, Friday, February 21, 2025 in the Parish Hall of Saint Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman, Berkeley.
Please enter the Hall from the parking lot (go down the entry ramp 50 yards East of the Church on Berryman), and then down a flight of stairs to the West of the parking area.
Admission $25 (no one turned away for lack of funds).
You can reserve a seat in advance by email to info@barefootchamberconcerts.com, and pay at the door when you com