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Time Stands Still
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Early music specialists Kieran White (tenor) and Cédric Meyer (lute), celebrate the 400th anniversary of two masters of English Lute Song - John Dowland and John Danyel.
This recital, named after Dowland’s famous song Time Stands Still, offers a selection of lute songs (or ‘ayres’) that combine some of the finest English music and poetry in songs that are filled with love, reflection and melancholy. Dowland is acknowledged as the premier secular lute song composer of his generation. The vocal music of John Danyel survives in a single volume, First Booke of Songes or Ayres, published in 1606. These few extant pieces beautifully illustrate the uniquely sensitive mind of a skilfull composer whose music is considered amongst the best of its time by early music specialists.
The programme explores a range of unique musical colours, and uniquely, Cédric’s handmade lute has been created from woods specifically chosen to compliment Kieran’s enchanting haute-contre tenor voice.
Kieran recently made his debut with the New York Philharmonic and enjoys a flourishing international career. He has received praise for his 'extraordinary emotional clarity' (Opera Magazine) and 'pure, luminous tenor voice (The Guardian). Swiss French lutenist Cédric Meyer has been described as 'a veritable microcosm of consort colour enlivened by shakes and agogics of the most refined variety' (Gramophone). They have performed together for many years in recitals, concerts and opera productions across the UK, France, Italy and Switzerland.
Following the release of their critically acclaimed album, Time Stands Still, in March 2026, Kieran and Cédric were featured live on BBC Radio 3's In Tune.
This recital, named after Dowland’s famous song Time Stands Still, offers a selection of lute songs (or ‘ayres’) that combine some of the finest English music and poetry in songs that are filled with love, reflection and melancholy. Dowland is acknowledged as the premier secular lute song composer of his generation. The vocal music of John Danyel survives in a single volume, First Booke of Songes or Ayres, published in 1606. These few extant pieces beautifully illustrate the uniquely sensitive mind of a skilfull composer whose music is considered amongst the best of its time by early music specialists.
The programme explores a range of unique musical colours, and uniquely, Cédric’s handmade lute has been created from woods specifically chosen to compliment Kieran’s enchanting haute-contre tenor voice.
Kieran recently made his debut with the New York Philharmonic and enjoys a flourishing international career. He has received praise for his 'extraordinary emotional clarity' (Opera Magazine) and 'pure, luminous tenor voice (The Guardian). Swiss French lutenist Cédric Meyer has been described as 'a veritable microcosm of consort colour enlivened by shakes and agogics of the most refined variety' (Gramophone). They have performed together for many years in recitals, concerts and opera productions across the UK, France, Italy and Switzerland.
Following the release of their critically acclaimed album, Time Stands Still, in March 2026, Kieran and Cédric were featured live on BBC Radio 3's In Tune.
Programme
Kieran White, tenor Cédric Meyer, lute
Kieran White, tenor Cédric Meyer, lute
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John Dowland (1563–1626)
The First Booke of Songes or Ayres (1597) Can she excuse my wrongs Come again, sweet love doth now invite Now, oh now I needs must part Come heavy sleep The Second Booke of Songs or Ayres (1600) Flow my tears The Third and Last Booke of Songs or Aires (1603) Time stands still A Musicall Banquet (1610) Far from triumphing court In darkness let me dwell |
Lute solos
Preludium, P 98 Mr Dowland’s Midnight, P 99 A Fancy, P 5 A Fancy, P 73 John Danyel (1564–1626) Songs for the Lute, Viol and Voice (1606) Time cruel time Stay cruel stay Why canst thou not Like as the lute Let not Cloris think Mrs M. E. her funeral tears for the death of her husband: I. Grief keep within II. Drop not mine eyes III. Have all our passions |
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