Renowned Australian lutenist, Rosemary Hodgson’s Walsingham is an intricately constructed musical journey exploring themes of mysticism and pilgrimage.

In the 11th century the Virgin Mary appeared to a noble woman called Richeldis de Faverche in Norfolk England, and there in Walsingham, the shrine to the Holy Family 
was built. It became a spiritual destination for English and international pilgrims alike and remains so to this very day. When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in the 16th Century, a lament for the loss of this Holy Place was imbedded in a song whose tune, known as Walsingham, captured the imagination of renaissance composers.

Inspired by the famous ballad, seven Elizabethan lutenists wrote variations on Walsingham for the lute. The number seven has significance in almost every major religion and numerological mysticism around the number seven permeates our human culture from the days of the week to the seven chakras in the body. Following in the tradition of works such as Dowland’s Lachrimae or Seven tears figured
 in Seven Passionate Pavans and Bach’s famous Goldberg Variations, Rosemary Hodgson has gathered these variations by John Dowland, John Johnson, Edward Collard, John Marchant, Francis Cutting, George Huwitt and Anthony Holborne to form a contemplative Marian rondo in this world premiere recording, by Australia’s preeminent lute player.

Rosemary Hodgson maintains a vibrant career 
as soloist and chamber musician. Known for her remarkable sensitivity and technique, she has established an international reputation for outstanding concert presentations and solo lute recordings, of captivating subtlety.