Benjamin Britten Lachrymae - Reflections or Variations?

The book you are holding in your hands now describes the most mysterious work for viola of the most mysterious composer of the 20th century. Viola performers often include Lachrymae in their concert repertoire but not everyone understands the true purpose of this piece. Even the first performer of Lachrymae - the famous Scottish viola player William Primrose wrote that he never understood this piece and that he was forced to perform Lachrymae. The title of this work Lachrymae. Reflections on a Song of John Dowland. However in some textbooks the structure of Lachrymae is described as a Theme with Variations. It would be fair to believe that if the composer would like to make variations then he would call his brainchild variations. Why didn''t Britten use the word variations in the title but write reflections? What was he thinking at that moment? Who is John Dowland? The answer is in this book where we will try to analyze the Lachrymae and understand the origins of its name. Rather dear reader open the first page! Here we will meet a war inspiration love separation and... of course tears...