Editing Dowland: Nigel North in Lute News and on video
Nigel North explains how he prepared his new edition of John Dowland’s music for Le Luth Doré. How do you choose between conflicting sources, recognise a copying error or resolve a doubtful attribution? In his lecture for the Lute Society on 9 May 2026, the lutenist shares his research and editorial decisions. He introduces John Dowland – The Complete Works for Lute Solo and Duet, an edition conceived for performers.
The written version of this talk appears in Lute News 158 (August 2026), pages 9–15, under the title In search of John Dowland. The video, published on the Lute Society’s official channel, lets readers hear the lecture and its musical examples.
An edition explained by its editor
Nigel North looks back on five years of research, comparison and editorial decisions. His starting point is practical: an edition for lute players, entirely in tablature, with clear notation and page turns that support performance.
He also explains why he chose to preserve the distinct versions transmitted by the sources, rather than merge them into a single text. A familiar piece can therefore take several forms, each shedding light on a stage or context of its transmission.
“Furthermore, in presenting each piece, I did not want to amalgamate or conflate different versions into one—though we may do that as performers.”
From historical sources to performance choices
The lecture’s examples address questions that directly concern players: instrument choice, copying errors, attribution and interpretation.
- Which lute for which piece? The required number of courses and the tuning of the basses offer clues to the instruments and repertoire.
- How do we recognise a copying error? Musical form, sequences, counterpoint and comparison between sources guide the editor’s decisions.
- What can be securely attributed to Dowland? Autographs, signed sources, printed editions and more distant copies stand at different distances from the composer.
- Where does editing end and interpretation begin? Preserving the sources and choosing how to perform them are distinct tasks that Nigel North considers together.
Lady Hunsdon’s Puffe: one piece, several readings
Lady Hunsdon’s Puffe runs through this discussion. Nigel North compares several sources, including the autograph preserved at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Chords, rhythms, repeats and voice leading reveal differences that invite us to hear a familiar work afresh.
The lecture also considers Fortune my foe, Walsingham and the reconstruction of pieces from Thomas Simpson’s Taffel-Consort. These examples show the editor at work with the musical evidence.
Read the Lute News article by Nigel North
Read the original article with its musical examples. This eight-page PDF includes the cover of Lute News 158 and Nigel North’s article (pp. 9–15), without the issue’s other sections.
Watch the lecture by Nigel North
The Lute Society presents Editing Dowland, a talk by Nigel North for Lute Society Uk. The lecture’s musical demonstrations complement the written article.
Discover the Le Luth Doré edition
This lecture offers a direct insight into Nigel North’s approach and the questions that shaped John Dowland – The Complete Works for Lute Solo and Duet. Explore the edition and its details in our catalogue.
John Dowland (1563–1626)
The Complete Works for Lute Solo and Duet
€154.95
Read our detailed introduction to the edition
Reference: Nigel North, “In search of John Dowland (1563–1626), thoughts and questions on preparation of a new complete edition”, Lute News 158 (August 2026), pp. 9–15. Written version of the lecture given for the Lute Society on 9 May 2026. Video: The Lute Society’s official YouTube channel.
