Collected Vocal Music, Part 1

Lawes's autograph songbook, Lbl Add. MS 31,432 (1639–41), is the most complete source of his vocal music. Most of Lawes's solo songs can be referred to as court songs or cavalier songs. Several are theater songs; indeed, more theater songs by Lawes survive than by any other composer of this period. English songs composed during the reign of Charles I have a distinct character, a unique amalgam of English tunefulness, Italian declamation, and French lyricism. This blend is quite unlike the more sophisticated gentility of the earlier English lute song, exemplified in the songs and ayres of John Dowland and John Danyel. Cavalier songs are more direct, more robust, less contrapuntal, and simpler in harmonic design. Lawes's solo songs may be divided into three main types: declamatory songs, tuneful airs, and dance songs. To these may be added declamatory-ballad forms and theater songs.