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William Lawes
Person · male · Kingdom of England · Salisbury · born 1602 · died 1645 · recording since 1991
English composer and musician
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Also known as ウィリアム・ローズ
Timeline
21 events▣ Album 18◦ Birth 1† Death 1★ Debut release 1
1600s
1640s
1990s
· Debut release
Debut release: For Ye Violls: Consort Setts for 5 & 6 Viols and Organ
First documented Album in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
· Album
Album: Maskes & Fantazies john Coprario / William Lawes / Matthew Locke
Album
source: musicbrainz
2000s
2010s
2020s
Biography
English biography1,227 words · 6 sectionssource: wikipedia-en · licence CC BY-SA 4.0 · revision 1320968308
Biography
William Lawes (April 1602 – 24 September 1645) was an English composer and musician known for his innovative and experimental style of early Baroque music. Born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, he wrote sacred and secular music at the court of Charles I of England. His best known compositions are consort suites for viols, including the Royal Consort collection (completed 1635). He joined Royalist forces during the English Civil War and was honored with the title "Father of Musick" after being killed at the Battle of Rowton Heath.
Life and career
Lawes was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire and was baptised on 1 May 1602. He was the son of Thomas Lawes, a vicar choral at Salisbury Cathedral, and brother to Henry Lawes, a very successful composer in his own right. It is possible the young William was a member of the cathedral choir there.
His patron, Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, apprenticed him to the composer John Coprario, which probably brought Lawes into contact with Charles, Prince of Wales at an early age. Both William and his elder brother Henry received court appointments after Charles succeeded to the British throne as Charles I. William was appointed as "musician in ordinary for lutes and voices" in 1635 but had been writing music for the court prior to this.
Lawes spent all his adult life in Charles's employ. He composed secular music and songs for court masques (and doubtless played in them), as well as sacred anthems and motets for Charles's private worship. He is most remembered today for his sublime viol consort suites for between three and six players and his lyra viol music. His use of counterpoint and fugue and his tendency to juxtapose bizarre, spine-tingling themes next to pastoral ones in these works made them disfavoured in the centuries after his death.
When Charles's dispute with Parliament led to the outbreak of the Civil War, Lawes joined the Royalist army. During the Siege of York, Lawes was living in the city and wrote at least one piece of music as a direct result of the military situation – the round See how Cawood's dragon looks, a vivid and defiant response to the Parliamentarian capture of Cawood Castle, about ten miles from York.
He was given a post in the King's Life Guards, which was intended to keep him out of danger. Despite this, he was "casually shot" by a Parliamentarian in the rout of the Royalists at Rowton Heath, near Chester, on 24 September 1645.
Although the King was in mourning for his kinsman Bernard Stuart (killed in the same defeat), he instituted a special mourning for Lawes, apparently honouring him with the title of "Father of Musick."
The author of his epitaph, Thomas Jordan, closed it with a lachrymose pun on the fact that Lawes had died at the hands of those who denied the divine right of kings:
Will. Lawes was slain by such whose wills were laws.
Lawes's body was lost or destroyed and his burial site is unknown.
Musical style
Lawes's instrumental music is typical of the 17th-century genre in England. Intense rhythmical gestures and dissonant harmonies stand in stark contrast with the traditional rules of counterpoint as practised by earlier composers known to Lawes, such as William Byrd. His writing style is highly mannered, oft experimental and virtuosic; melodies may be fragmented and altered with varied articulation and accentuation. Lawes was known to be a virtuoso on the lyra viol. There as well his music features chromatic extremes which are not normally encountered in works of the early Baroque. Nevertheless, his works, including two compositions on the cantus firmus In nomine, show that he was aware of the theoretical practices of his day.
He is particularly known for his ensemble dance music, which takes the form of suites called "consort sets," well appreciated by his contemporaries and successors. Ten of these sets form a fine and varied collection called the Royal Consort, completed in 1635 for Charles I of England. This was issued in two versions: for two treble viols, tenor viol, bass viol and theorbo continuo; and, later, for two violins, two bass viols and two theorbos. Until recently the violin version was the better known, thanks to editing work done in the 1960s, but scholarship has revealed the four-viol version to be of much better quality, having been the original setting. Many of Lawes's consort sets seem to have been composed as functional music or pedagogical pieces.
for Voice
Dainty Fine Aniseed Water Fine, ca. 1630
Drink Tonight of the Moonshine Bright, ca. 1630
Gather Your Rosebuds While You May, ca. 1630
She Weepeth Sore In the Night, ca. 1630
for Instrumental ensemble
Note that the Royal Consort sets below exist in a primary scoring of 2 Treble Viols, Tenor Viol, Bass Viol and Theorbo (as thorough-bass, or continuo) as well as in an alternative, but recently discredited, scoring of 2 Treble Viols, 2 Bass Viols and 2 Theorbos (with the option of violins replacing the treble viols). Sources with the two-theorbo scoring show extra movements, notably a Fantasy and an Ecco each to open and close Sets 1 and 6, and adjustments to the sequence of movements.
Almain for 2 Lutes, ca. 1625
Almain for 3 Lyra-Viols, vdgs564, ca. 1630
Almain for 4 Viols and Continuo, vdgs260, 1625
Courante 1 for 2 Lutes, ca. 1625
Courante 2 for 2 Lutes, ca. 1625
Divisions on a Pavan in g for 2 Bass Viols and Organ, ca. 1638
Eight Sonatas (Fantasy Suites) for Violin, Bass Viol and Organ, ca. 1630
Eight Sonatas (Fantasy Suites) for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ, ca. 1630
Fantasy for 3 Lyra-Viols, vdgs567, ca. 1630
Fantasy in c for 4 Viols, vdgs108, ca. 1630
Organ Consort Set 1 (Fantasy—Air—Air) a 5 in g, On the Playnsong, ca. 1638
Organ Consort Set 2 (Fantasy—Fantasy—Air) a 5 in a, For Ye Violls, ca. 1638
Organ Consort Set 3 (Fantasy—Air—Pavan—Air) a 5 in c, ca. 1638
Organ Consort Set 4 (Fantasy—Pavan—Air) a 5 in F, ca. 1638
Organ Consort Set 5 (Fantasy—Pavan—Air) a 5 in C, ca. 1638
Organ Consort Set 6 (Pavan—Fantasy—Air) a 6 in g, ca. 1638
Organ Consort Set 7 (Fantasy—Fantasy—Air) a 6 in C, ca. 1638
Organ Consort Set 8 (Air—Fantasy—Air—Fantasy) a 6 in F, Sunrise, ca. 1638
Organ Consort Set 9 (Fantasy—Air—In nomine) a 6 in Bb, ca. 1638
Organ Consort Set 10 (Fantasy—Fantasy—In nomine—Air) a 6 in c, ca. 1638
Pavan for 4 Viols and Continuo, vdgs76, 1625
Royal Consort Set 1 in d for 4 Viols and Continuo, 1635
Royal Consort Set 2 in d for 4 Viols and Continuo, 1635
Royal Consort Set 3 in d for 4 Viols and Continuo, 1635
Royal Consort Set 4 in D for 4 Viols and Continuo, 1635
Royal Consort Set 5 in D for 4 Viols and Continuo, 1635
Royal Consort Set 6 in D for 4 Viols and Continuo, 1635
Royal Consort Set 7 in a for 4 Viols and Continuo, 1635
Royal Consort Set 8 in C for 4 Viols and Continuo, 1635
Royal Consort Set 9 in F for 4 Viols and Continuo, 1635
Royal Consort Set 10 in Bb for 4 Viols and Continuo, 1635
Sarabande for 3 Lyra-Viols, vdgs569, ca. 1630
Sarabande for 4 Viols and Continuo, vdgs264, 1625
Set a 4 in g, ca. 1630
for the Stage
music for various masques
Ye Fiends and Furies for Davenant's masque The Unfortunate Lovers
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 19 | 79.7th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 19 | 86.7th |
| Studio albums | 18 | 95.8th |
| Awards recorded | 0 | 0th |
| Timeline events | 21 | 94.3th |
| Recording span (years) | -346 | 1.2th |
| Genres | 1 | 56th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (19 release groups · 18 studio albums)
Albums · 18
For Ye Violls: Consort Setts for 5 & 6 Viols and Organ
1991 · studio album
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Tracklist · 20 tracks · 1:09:30
1Consort Sett a 6 in F major: I. Fantazy4:582Consort Sett a 6 in F major: II. Aire2:303Consort Sett a 6 in F major: III. Fantazy2:584Consort Sett a 6 in F major: IV. Aire1:255Divisions for two bass viols & organ in G minor: I. Paven6:596Divisions for two bass viols & organ in G minor: II. Aire1:457Divisions for two bass viols & organ in G minor: III. Aire2:438Consort Sett a 5 in C minor: I. Fantazy3:169Consort Sett a 5 in C minor: II. Aire1:3110Consort Sett a 5 in C minor: III. Paven6:3811Consort Sett a 5 in C minor: IV. Aire1:2812Consort Sett a 5 in F major: I. Fantazy2:5113Consort Sett a 5 in F major: II. Paven6:1214Consort Sett a 5 in F major: III. Aire2:0615Airs for three lyra viols: I. ffantasie VdGS 5734:5316Airs for three lyra viols: II. Humour VdGS 5682:4417Consort Sett a 6 in C minor: I. Fantazia3:2518Consort Sett a 6 in C minor: II. Fantazia3:3019Consort Sett a 6 in C minor: III. Inominy4:3820Consort Sett a 6 in C minor: IV. Aire3:00Maskes & Fantazies john Coprario / William Lawes / Matthew Locke
1992 · studio album
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Tracklist · 29 tracks · 57:45
1The Fairey Masque2:092The Ladies Masque1:263The Furies1:254Suite en Do majeur No. 9: Fantasie4:245Suite en Do majeur No. 9: Almain1:386Suite en Do majeur No. 9: Galliard1:177The first Witches Dance1:588Adsonns Maske1:369The Temple Anticke I2:2910Fancye for two to play2:4411Suite en la majeur No. 6: Fantazie1:0512Suite en la majeur No. 6: Ayre1:4713Suite en la majeur No. 6: Courante0:4514Suite en la majeur No. 6: Jigg1:0415The Second Witches1:3016Symphony extraite de Musicks Handmaide2:0417The Goates Masque1:4718Malle Symen2:2219The Kings Mistresse1:5120Sir Francis Bacon Masque I1:3721Grays Inne Masque1:1522Suite en Ré Mineur No. 12: Fantasia4:3723Suite en Ré Mineur No. 12: Almain2:0024Suite en Ré Mineur No. 12: Galliard2:0125The Nobleman2:2126Courant, of Harte diefje warom zoo stil2:2527The Nymphs Dance1:3728Cupararee or Graysin2:0829Sellabrand2:231994 · studio album
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Tracklist · 24 tracks · 1:07:21
1Fantasia Suite no. 1 in G minor for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: I. Fantasia3:512Fantasia Suite no. 1 in G minor for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: II. Almain2:133Fantasia Suite no. 1 in G minor for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: III. Galliard2:224Fantasia Suite no. 2 in G major for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: I. Fantasia4:345Fantasia Suite no. 2 in G major for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: II. Almain2:156Fantasia Suite no. 2 in G major for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: III. Galliard2:527Fantasia Suite no. 3 in A minor for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: I. Fantasia4:258Fantasia Suite no. 3 in A minor for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: II. Almain2:289Fantasia Suite no. 3 in A minor for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: III. Galliard2:2410Fantasia Suite no. 4 in C major for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: I. Fantasia4:0211Fantasia Suite no. 4 in C major for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: II. Almain1:4412Fantasia Suite no. 4 in C major for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: III. Galliard2:3313Fantasia Suite no. 5 in D minor for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: I. Fantasia3:5914Fantasia Suite no. 5 in D minor for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: II. Almain2:1915Fantasia Suite no. 5 in D minor for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: III. Galliard2:2416Fantasia Suite no. 6 in D major for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: I. Fantasia3:2917Fantasia Suite no. 6 in D major for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: II. Almain2:0518Fantasia Suite no. 6 in D major for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: III. Galliard1:5419Fantasia Suite no. 7 in D minor for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: I. Fantasia4:0620Fantasia Suite no. 7 in D minor for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: II. Almain1:4521Fantasia Suite no. 7 in D minor for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: III. Galliard2:0222Fantasia Suite no. 8 in D major for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: I. Fantasia3:1823Fantasia Suite no. 8 in D major for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: II. Almain2:2924Fantasia Suite no. 8 in D major for 2 Violins, Bass Viol and Organ: III. Galliard1:48Consort Setts for 5 & 6 Viols, Songs, Pieces for Lyra Viol
1995 · studio album
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Tracklist · 26 tracks · 1:07:26
1Consort Sett a 6 in G minor, 1. Paven7:052Consort Sett a 6 in G minor, 2. Fantazy3:293Consort Sett a 6 in G minor, 3. Aire2:224Consort Sett a 5 in A minor, 1. Fantazy3:555Consort Sett a 5 in A minor, 2. Fantazy2:456Consort Sett a 5 in A minor, 3. Aire1:427Countrey Coll for lyra viol VdGS 4211:168Jigg for lyra viol VdGS 4221:0594 settings of poems by Robert Herrick, 1. To the Virgins, to make much of Time Gather ye Rose-buds1:17104 settings of poems by Robert Herrick, 2. To Sycamores I'm sick of Love1:26114 settings of poems by Robert Herrick, 3. To Pansies Ah, cruell Love1:53124 settings of poems by Robert Herrick, 4. How Lillies came white White though ye be1:0413Consort Sett a 6 in C major, 1. Fantazy3:3814Consort Sett a 6 in C major, 2. Fantazy3:0815Consort Sett a 6 in C major, 3. Aire3:2816Almaine for lyra viol VdGS 4302:3617Corant for lyra viol VdGS 4311:2018Saraband for lyra viol VdGS 4321:0619Consort Sett a 5 in G minor, 1. Fantazya3:0920Consort Sett a 5 in G minor, 2. On the Playnsong3:4321Consort Sett a 5 in G minor, 3. Aire1:2922Aire for lyra viol VdGS 4622:1623Aire for lyra viol VdGS 4631:5224Consort Sett a 6 in B flat major, 1. Fantazia4:1825Consort Sett a 6 in B flat major, 2. Aire2:2926Consort Sett a 6 in B flat major, 3. Inominy3:351995 · studio album
Royall Consort Suites, Volume 1
1996 · studio album
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Tracklist · 34 tracks · 1:09:34
1Royall Consort No. 9 in F major: I. Pavin6:162Royall Consort No. 9 in F major: II. Aire2:113Royall Consort No. 9 in F major: III. Allmain1:594Royall Consort No. 9 in F major: IV. Corant1:065Royall Consort No. 9 in F major: V. Allmain1:476Royall Consort No. 9 in F major: VI. Corant1:187Royall Consort No. 9 in F major: VII. Saraband0:588Royall Consort No. 7 in A minor: I. Pavin6:269Royall Consort No. 7 in A minor: II. Ayre I2:1310Royall Consort No. 7 in A minor: III. Allmain I1:5011Royall Consort No. 7 in A minor: IV. Allmain II1:1712Royall Consort No. 7 in A minor: V. Ayre II1:2213Royall Consort No. 7 in A minor: VI. Corant1:4514Royall Consort No. 7 in A minor: VII. Saraband0:3515Royall Consort No. 6 in D major: I. Fantazy4:0116Royall Consort No. 6 in D major: II. Aire1:5117Royall Consort No. 6 in D major: III. Alman1:2418Royall Consort No. 6 in D major: IV. Corant2:0319Royall Consort No. 6 in D major: V. Ecco2:3920Royall Consort No. 6 in D major: VI. Aire Morriss1:3421Royall Consort No. 1 in D minor: I. Fantazy4:3322Royall Consort No. 1 in D minor: II. Aire1:3923Royall Consort No. 1 in D minor: III. Alman1:5824Royall Consort No. 1 in D minor: IV. Corant I1:3325Royall Consort No. 1 in D minor: V. Corant II1:0126Royall Consort No. 1 in D minor: VI. Saraband1:2127Royall Consort No. 1 in D minor: VII. Ecco1:5128Royall Consort No. 3 in D minor: I. Aire3:3029Royall Consort No. 3 in D minor: II. Aire1:2630Royall Consort No. 3 in D minor: III. Corant1:2431Royall Consort No. 3 in D minor: IV. Corant1:2332Royall Consort No. 3 in D minor: V. Alman1:2333Royall Consort No. 3 in D minor: VI. Corant1:1434Royall Consort No. 3 in D minor: VII. Saraband0:431997 · studio album
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Tracklist · 18 tracks · 49:28
1Royal Consort Suite no. 2 in D minor: I. Pavan6:122Royal Consort Suite no. 2 in D minor: II. Aire1:463Royal Consort Suite no. 2 in D minor: III. Aire1:464Royal Consort Suite no. 2 in D minor: IV. Aire. Galliard1:125Royal Consort Suite no. 2 in D minor: V. Corant1:306Royal Consort Suite no. 2 in D minor: VI. Saraband I0:497Royal Consort Suite no. 2 in D minor: VII. Saraband II0:378Sonata for violin, bass viol & organ no. 8 in D minor: I. Fantasia5:329Sonata for violin, bass viol & organ no. 8 in D minor: II. Aire. Alman3:1810Sonata for violin, bass viol & organ no. 8 in D minor: III. Aire. Galliard2:0311Cupids, Wearie of the Court1:3212O My Clarissa, Thou Cruel Faire2:0113Gather Ye Rosebuds1:3314Beauty in Eclipsa2:4715Justitia Sacrum3:1416When Man ffor Sinne3:1517Harpe Consort no. 10 in G minor: I. Pavan (on a Theme by Coprario)5:0918Harpe Consort no. 10 in G minor: II. Divisions Upon the Pavan5:12Royall Consort Suites, Volume 2
1997 · studio album
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Tracklist · 31 tracks · 1:08:19
1Royall Consort Suite No. 2 in D minor: I. Paven6:452Royall Consort Suite No. 2 in D minor: II. Aire1:353Royall Consort Suite No. 2 in D minor: III. Aire1:404Royall Consort Suite No. 2 in D minor: IV. Galliard1:165Royall Consort Suite No. 2 in D minor: V. Corant1:386Royall Consort Suite No. 2 in D minor: VI. Sarabande2:087Royall Consort Suite No. 8 in C major: I. Pavan7:098Royall Consort Suite No. 8 in C major: II. Ayre2:289Royall Consort Suite No. 8 in C major: III. Almain1:3610Royall Consort Suite No. 8 in C major: IV. Corant1:5211Royall Consort Suite No. 8 in C major: V. Corant0:4512Royall Consort Suite No. 8 in C major: VI. Saraband1:0413Royall Consort Suite No. 10 in B-flat major: I. Pavan5:0614Royall Consort Suite No. 10 in B-flat major: II. Almain1:5315Royall Consort Suite No. 10 in B-flat major: III. Corant1:2516Royall Consort Suite No. 10 in B-flat major: IV. Allmain1:4617Royall Consort Suite No. 10 in B-flat major: V. Corant1:1318Royall Consort Suite No. 10 in B-flat major: VI. Saraband1:0519Royall Consort Suite No. 5 in D major: I. Aire4:2920Royall Consort Suite No. 5 in D major: II. Aire1:5021Royall Consort Suite No. 5 in D major: III. Alman1:2322Royall Consort Suite No. 5 in D major: IV. Corant1:3223Royall Consort Suite No. 5 in D major: V. Corant1:1924Royall Consort Suite No. 5 in D major: VI. Aire "Morris"0:5225Royall Consort Suite No. 5 in D major: VII. Saraband0:5526Royall Consort Suite No. 4 in D major: I. Pavan5:4927Royall Consort Suite No. 4 in D major: II. Aire1:3328Royall Consort Suite No. 4 in D major: III. Aire2:1429Royall Consort Suite No. 4 in D major: IV. Aire1:4730Royall Consort Suite No. 4 in D major: V. Corant1:3331Royall Consort Suite No. 4 in D major: VI. Saraband0:39Sonatas for Violin, Bass Viol and Organ
1999 · studio album
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Tracklist · 24 tracks · 1:06:25
1Sett No. 1" G Minor - Fantazia4:352Sett No. 1" G Minor - Almaine1:293Sett No. 1" G Minor - Galliard1:344Sett No. 2" G Major - Fantazia4:095Sett No. 2" G Major - Almaine1:296Sett No. 2" G Major - Galliard1:437Sett No. 3" a Minor - Fantazia4:138Sett No. 3" a Minor - Almaine2:369Sett No. 3" a Minor - Galliard1:4610Sett No. 4" C Major - Fantazia3:3511Sett No. 4" C Major - Almaine2:1612Sett No. 4" C Major - Galliard2:0713Sett No. 5" D Minor - Fantazia3:4714Sett No. 5" D Minor - Almaine1:4915Sett No. 5" D Minor - Galliard2:1816Sett No. 6" D Major - Fantazia4:3617Sett No. 6" D Major - Almaine1:4618Sett No. 6" D Major - Galliard1:5119Sett No. 7" D Minor - Fantazia4:0020Sett No. 7" D Minor - Almaine1:3721Sett No. 7" D Minor - Galliard1:5522Sett No. 8" D Major - Fantazia5:3623Sett No. 8" D Major - "La Goutte": Almaine3:2724Sett No. 8" D Major - Galliard2:11Consorts in Four and Five Parts
2000 · studio album
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Tracklist · 22 tracks · 1:06:24
1Set A5 in A: Fantazy - 13:422Set A5 in A: Fantazy - 22:413Set A5 in A: Aire1:534Set A5 in F: Fantazy - 12:425Set A5 in F: Paven5:376Set A5 in F: Aire2:167Set A5 in C: Fantazy - 13:108Set A5 in C: Aire1:349Set A5 in C: Paven5:3610Set A5 in C: Aire1:3211Set A5 in C: Fantazy2:1812Set A5 in C: Paven4:1513Set A5 in C: Aire2:2814Set A5 in G: Fantazy2:5215Set A5 in G: On the Playnsong3:3216Set A5 in G: Aire1:3017For the Violls A4: Fantazy in C (Vdgs #108)3:2518For the Violls A4: Aire [Fantazy] In C (Vdgs #111)3:0619For the Violls A4: Aire in C (Vdgs #109)3:2920For the Violls A4: Aire in C (Vdgs #112)3:0321For the Violls A4: Aire in C (Vdgs #110)2:1522For the Violls A4: Aire in C (Vdgs #113)3:28Consort Sets in Five & Six Parts
2002 · studio album
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Tracklist · 33 tracks · 1:55:41
Disc 11I. Consort Set a 5 in g minor: I. Fantazya2:462I. Consort Set a 5 in g minor: II. On the Playnsong3:463I. Consort Set a 5 in g minor: III. Aire2:414II. Consort Set a 5 in a minor: I. [Fantazy no. 1] for ye Violls3:485II. Consort Set a 5 in a minor: II. Fantazia [no. 2]3:146II. Consort Set a 5 in a minor: III. [Aire]3:127III. Consort Set a 5 in c minor: I. Fantazia3:328III. Consort Set a 5 in c minor: II. Aire [no. 1]2:389III. Consort Set a 5 in c minor: III. Paven5:5310III. Consort Set a 5 in c minor: IV. Aire [no. 2]2:3011IV. Consort Set a 5 in F major: I. Fantazy2:3612IV. Consort Set a 5 in F major: II. Paven6:0813IV. Consort Set a 5 in F major: III. Aire2:3914V. Consort Set a 5 in C major: I. Fantazy2:2915V. Consort Set a 5 in C major: II. Paven5:3416V. Consort Set a 5 in C major: III. [Aire]2:28Disc 21VI. Consort Set a 6 in g minor: I. Paven7:432VI. Consort Set a 6 in g minor: II. Fantazy3:393VI. Consort Set a 6 in g minor: III. Aire3:044VII. Consort Set a 6 in C major: I. Fantazy [no. 1]3:185VII. Consort Set a 6 in C major: II. Fantazy [no. 2]3:036VII. Consort Set a 6 in C major: III. Aire3:447VIII. Consort Set a 6 in F major: I. Aire [no. 1]2:298VIII. Consort Set a 6 in F major: II. Fantazy [no. 1]3:359VIII. Consort Set a 6 in F major: III. Aire [no. 2]1:3310VIII. Consort Set a 6 in F major: IV. Fantazy [no. 2]3:2011IX. Consort Set a 6 in B flat major: I. Fantazia3:3712IX. Consort Set a 6 in B flat major: II. Aire2:5513IX. Consort Set a 6 in B flat major: III. Inominy3:4414X. Consort Set a 6 in e minor: I. Fantazia [no. 1]2:5415X. Consort Set a 6 in e minor: II. Fantazia [no. 2]4:1416X. Consort Set a 6 in e minor: III. Inomine3:5217X. Consort Set a 6 in e minor: IV. Aire3:03The Consort Setts for 5 or 6 Viols and Organ
2002 · studio album
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Tracklist · 42 tracks · 2:09:42
Disc 11Consort Sett a 6: I. Fantazy4:572Consort Sett a 6: II. Aire2:303Consort Sett a 6: III. Fantazy2:584Consort Sett a 6: IV. Aire1:265Consort Sett a 5: I. Fantazy3:546Consort Sett a 5: II. Fantazy2:457Consort Sett a 5: III. Aire1:428Two dances for lyra viol: I. Countrey Coll1:159Two dances for lyra viol: II. Jigg1:0610Consort Sett a 5: I. Fantazy2:2311Consort Sett a 5: II. Paven4:5712Consort Sett a 5: III. Almaine2:2613Consort Sett a 5: I. Fantazy2:4914Consort Sett a 5: II. Paven6:1215Consort Sett a 5: III. Aire2:0616Airs for three lyra viols: I. ffantasie4:5117Airs for three lyra viols: II. Humour2:4218Consort Sett a 6: I. Fantazia3:2619Consort Sett a 6: II. Fantazia3:3020Consort Sett a 6: III. Inominy4:3821Consort Sett a 6: IV. Aire2:59Disc 21Consort Sett a 6: I. Pavan7:052Consort Sett a 6: II. Fantazy3:293Consort Sett a 6: III. Aire2:234Consort Sett a 5: I. Fantazy3:155Consort Sett a 5: II. Aire1:306Consort Sett a 5: III. Paven6:377Consort Sett a 5: IV. Aire1:318Three Dances for lyra viol: I. Almaine2:359Three Dances for lyra viol: II. Corant1:1910Three Dances for lyra viol: III. Saraband1:0511Consort Sett a 6: I. Fantazy3:3612Consort Sett a 6: II. Fantazy3:0713Consort Sett a 6: III. Aire3:2814Consort Sett a 5: I. Fantazya3:0915Consort Sett a 5: II. On the Playnsong3:4316Consort Sett a 5: III. Aire1:2917Two Aires for lyra viol: I. Aire2:1518Two Aires for lyra viol: II. Aire1:5119Consort Sett a 6: I. Fantazia4:1720Consort Sett a 6: II. Aire2:2821Consort Sett a 6: III. Inominy3:582002 · studio album
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Tracklist · 18 tracks · 1:00:18
1Set a6 in G minor: I. Paven6:162Set a6 in G minor: II. Fantazy3:133Set a6 in g minor: III. Aire2:164Set a6 in C major: I. Fantazy3:295Set a6 in C major: II. Fantazy2:506Set a6 in C major: III. Aire3:077Set a6 in F major: I. Aire2:148Set a6 in F major: II. Fantazy4:309Set a6 in F major: III. Aire1:3010Set a6 in F major: IV. Fantazy2:5411Set a6 in B-flat major: I. Fantazy4:0912Set a6 in B-flat major: II. Inominy4:0313Set a6 in B-flat major: III. Aire2:3014Set a6 in C minor: I. Fantazy2:5915Set a6 in C minor: II. Fantazy3:2416Set a6 in C minor: III. Inomine3:5217Set a6 in C minor: IV. Aire2:3418Set a6 in F major: II. Fantazy [early version]4:28Songs by Henry & William Lawes
2007 · studio album
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Tracklist · 27 tracks · 1:13:03
1Gather Your Rosebuds While You May1:352A Tale Out of Anacreon3:573Oh, That Joy So Soon Should Waste1:464Sweet, Stay Awhile; Why Do You Rise?3:065Monsieur Saman His Coranto1:376Amarillis, by a Spring2:297Oh, Let Me Still and Silent Lie3:338Oh, My Clarissa, Thou Cruel Fair5:159From the Heav’ns Now I Fly2:1010The Royall Consort: Corant2:0511Sweet Echo, Sweetest Nymph That Liv’st Unseen2:0312Country Dance1:0113Oh Sweet Woods, the Delight of Solitariness2:2914Tavola: In quel gelato core una voce2:3515Loves Sweet Repose: Amidst the Myrtles as I Walk5:3516No Reprieve: Now, now Lucasia, Now Make Haste3:5117Fantasia4:1218Slide Soft, You Silver Floods2:4119Saraband1:0720When Shall I See My Captive Heart?3:3721Alman2:0122Corant I1:1923A Dreame: I Laid Me Down Upon a Pillow Soft1:4724Corant II1:1525The Angler’s Song1:1326When Man for Sin Thy Judgment Feels5:0227A Pastoral Elegie: Cease You Jolly Shepherds3:42Harp Consorts (Les Voix Humaines feat. harp: Maxine Eilander)
2008 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks · 1:16:19
1Harp Consort No. 8 in G major8:122Harp Consort No. 7 in G major2:103Harp Consort No. 3 in G major4:444Harp Consort No. 11 in D minor4:085Harp Consort No. 4 in D minor6:356Harp Consort No. 9 in D major9:247Harp Consort No. 5 in D major6:438Harp Consort No. 6 in D major8:359Harp Consort No. 10 in G minor8:4110Harp Consort No. 2 in G minor7:0211Harp Consort No. 1 in G minor6:1612Duo pour guitare et harpe3:492012 · studio album
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Tracklist · 23 tracks · 1:17:30
1Set a5 in G: I. Fantazya a53:052Set a5 in G: II. On the Playnesong: a54:133Set a5 in G: III. Aire a51:344Set a5 in A: I. Fantasy a5 (No. 1)5:095Set a5 in A: II. Fantazia a5 (No. 2)2:496Set a5 in A: III. Aire a52:037Set a5 in C: I. Fantazia a53:128Set a5 in C: II. Aire a5 (No. 1)1:389Set a5 in C: III. Paven a56:3110Set a5 in C: IV. Aire a5 (No. 2)1:3211Set a5 in C: I. Fantazy a52:2412Set a5 in C: II. Paven a55:0613Set a5 in C: III. Aire a52:2414Set a6 in G: I. Paven a66:3515Set a6 in G: II. Fantazy a63:1816Set a6 in G: III. Aire a62:1517Set a6 in F: I. Aire a6 (No. 1)2:2818Set a6 in F: II. Fantazy a6 (No. 1)4:5619Set a6 in F: III. Aire a6 (No. 2)1:3520Set a6 in F: IV. Fantazy a6 (No. 2)3:1621Set a6 in B flat: I. Fantazy a64:2422Set a6 in B flat: II. Aire a62:3723Set a6 in B flat: III. Inominy a64:26William Lawes: The Royal Consort
2015 · studio album
2025 · studio album
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Tracklist · 19 tracks · 1:02:16
1Music, the Master of thy Art is Dead2:452Harp Consort No. 9 in D Major: Pavin on a them by Cormacke4:233Choice Psalmes put into musick: XI. My God, my rock, regard my cry1:444Choice Psalmes put into musick: XI. My God, my rock, regard my cry (Arr. for Solo Harpsichord by L. Barrucand)2:045Choice Psalmes put into musick: VI. Judah in exile wanders2:356Harp Consort No. 5 in D Major: Alman2:267Harp Consort No. 5 in D Major: Saraband2:478Harp Consort No. 4 in D Minor: Coranto1:489Whiles I this standing lake2:5510Can beauty's spring: Diminutions on Love, I obey (Arr. for Voices, Violas da gamba, Harp, Theorbo and Harpsichord by R. Pharo)3:5911Choice Psalmes put into musick: XIV. O sing unto the Lord a new song2:3212Harp Consort No. 11 in D Minor: Fantazy3:4713Choice Psalmes put into musick: XXVII. Ne irascaris, Domine2:4714Harp Consort No. 10 in G Minor: Paven on a them by Coprario4:2115Choice Psalmes put into musick: XVII. How long will thou forget me, O Lord, for ever_2:0516Choice Psalmes put into musick: XXII. Come, sing the great Jehovah's praise2:3517Choice Psalmes put into musick: XXIX. In resurrectione tua Domine2:4518Harp Consort No. 8 in G Major: Paven4:1619O my Clarissa9:42
Album · 1
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Consort Music For Viols, Lutes and TheorbosSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 26 tracks · 1:08:301Set a 4 in G minor (for 2 Theorbos): Paven5:44 2Set a 4 in G minor (for 2 Theorbos): Aire I2:05 3Set a 4 in G minor (for 2 Theorbos): Aire II2:01 4Consort Set a 5 in C major: Fantazy2:22 5Consort Set a 5 in C major: Paven4:49 6Consort Set a 5 in C major: Aire2:43 7Royal Consort in D minor (for 2 Theorbos): Fantazy3:42 8Royal Consort in D minor (for 2 Theorbos): Aire1:45 9Royal Consort in D minor (for 2 Theorbos): Alman1:55 10Royal Consort in D minor (for 2 Theorbos): Corant I1:51 11Royal Consort in D minor (for 2 Theorbos): Corant II1:05 12Royal Consort in D minor (for 2 Theorbos): Saraband0:46 13Royal Consort in D minor (for 2 Theorbos): Ecco3:02 14Pieces for Two Lutes: Alman2:41 15Pieces for Two Lutes: Corant I2:07 16Pieces for Two Lutes: Corant II1:54 17Divisions on a Pavan in G minor6:10 18Consort Set a 5 in A minor: Fantazy I4:19 19Consort Set a 5 in A minor: Fantazy II2:59 20Consort Set a 5 in A minor: Aire1:49 21Royal Consort in D major (for 2 Theorbos): Fantazy3:06 22Royal Consort in D major (for 2 Theorbos): Aire2:02 23Royal Consort in D major (for 2 Theorbos): Courant1:57 24Royal Consort in D major (for 2 Theorbos): Alman1:29 25Royal Consort in D major (for 2 Theorbos): Ecco2:54 26Royal Consort in D major (for 2 Theorbos): Aire - Morris1:13 | Compilation | 13 December 1995 |
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put William Lawes head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 19 | 79.7th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 19 | 86.7th |
| Studio albums | 18 | 95.8th |
| Awards recorded | 0 | 0th |
| Timeline events | 21 | 94.3th |
| Recording span (years) | -346 | 1.2th |
| Genres | 1 | 56th |
Awards & honours
Where this record comes from
portrait—Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Lawes.jpgaliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/0f583791-1031-4f57-917e-f4e6a2374c7adiscography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/0f583791-1031-4f57-917e-f4e6a2374c7acore—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q540025seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lawesbiography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lawes
Why this artist is in the database
- List of composers by name
Tier rule: curated genre/region list
Image: Unknown artist Unknown artist · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata: Q540025 · MusicBrainz: 0f583791-1031-4f57-917e-f4e6a2374c7a