Behold and have regard

John Dowland’s Behold and have regard is a setting for four-part choir (STTB) of a Latin text that takes its origin from Psalm 134, the final of the Gradual Psalms. The composer treats the sacred text with rich, imitative polyphony, imbuing the words of praise with a devotional gravity. The phrases are passed between the voices, creating a sense of communal prayer. The music’s careful construction and its humble yet profound expression of faith make it a significant example of Renaissance sacred part-music. This composition offers a moment of spiritual reflection, its intricate vocal lines drawing the listener into a contemplative space.