Four of the best John Dowland recordings

Dowland: The Collected Works

The Consort of Musicke/Rooley
Decca E452 5632

A one-stop shop for Dowland’s major works in 12 authoritative discs.

• 15 unusual uses for Mozart

Complete Lute Music

Nigel North (Lute)
Naxos 8.504016

Supple, sensitive and warmly recorded, North’s artful set is a steal at budget price.

• Assessing Vivaldi's musical style

Lachrimae

The Parley of Instruments
Helios CDA55339

The Parley of Instruments performs Lachrimae as a violin consort, giving the work a brighter edge.

• Classical music's rule-breakers

Lute Songs

Mark Padmore (tenor), Elizabeth Kenny (lute), Craig Ogden (guitar)
Hyperion CDA67648

Mark Padmore’s judicious anthology comes with the added bonus of Britten’s guitar tribute to Dowland.