...shadows that in darkness dwell...
Timothy Cooper
I imagine the character of John Dowland, a reclusive and private man with a mysterious past: as a musician in the court of the Danish King, Dowland was also working as an English spy. Dark, shadowy and melancholic the ensemble inhabit a labyrinthine sound world that explores the mood and feeling of Dowland’s sombre set of seven Pavanes. This isn’t a piece about subterfuge but one that explores the very darkest depths present in Dowland’s work through a heightened approach to performing on early instruments. Each verse of Dowland’s work is represented in an extended exploration of the mood and sentiment of the text in three main passages titled Flow, Fled and Darkness.
Pitch: A415
Instrumentation notes:
Recorder - Renaissance Treble and Tenor Recorders
Composed for Baroque Cello with baroque bow
Instrumentation Genre Ensemble and electronics
Tag orchestra
Duration 18 minutes
Instrumentation Tenor recorder [1 player]; Countertenor [1 player]; Theorbo [1 player]; Cello [1 player]
Performances of this work
| Date | Venue | Performer | Link |
| 10/12/2019 (*premiére) | Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK | ||
| 11/12/2019 | Hug and Pint, Glasgow, Scotland, UK | ||
| 12/12/2019 | Belmont Film House, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK |
Upcoming events
- 20 Nov 2025, 0:00
[opensound: Navigating the Online Digital World for Composers and Artists with Ian J Cole, Sinners Music Ltd] - 24 Nov 2025, 12:30
[Covfefe: online monthly coffee chat for composers & musicians] - 26 Nov 2025, 13:00
[Composers' Helpline] - 01 Dec 2025, 17:00
[New Music Scotland AGM 2025] *NMS event - 03 Dec 2025, 13:00
[Composers' Helpline]
Recent updates
Works
- The Monkey and the Camel, by Claire McCue
- Colours of the City, by Oliver Searle
- Thread, by Tom Macfadyen
Events
Projects
- Aides... mémoires... Project album launch
- On a Wing and a Prayer
- On a Wing and a Prayer - presentation
Opportunities
- Red Note is looking for a new Chair of the Board
- In Motion 2026 - Sound and Music
- Job Vacancy - Digital Officer
