Composer

:

Thomas Morley

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

before 1593

Publication Date

:

1593

Average_duration

:

3:29

"Cease, myne eyes" is a beautiful and melancholic madrigal composed by Thomas Morley, an English composer, organist, and theorist of the Renaissance era. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, around 1595, and was first published in his collection of madrigals, "The Triumphs of Oriana" in 1601. The madrigal is written for five voices, with the text taken from a poem by Sir Edward Dyer. The poem speaks of a lover's despair and longing for his beloved, who is unattainable. The music perfectly captures the mood of the text, with its haunting harmonies and melancholic melody. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement begins with a mournful and slow introduction, with the voices singing in a homophonic texture. The melody is simple and repetitive, with the voices rising and falling in unison. The second movement is more lively and rhythmic, with the voices singing in a polyphonic texture. The melody is more complex, with each voice weaving in and out of each other. The third movement returns to the mournful mood of the first, with the voices singing in a homophonic texture once again. The melody is more elaborate, with the voices rising and falling in a more intricate pattern. The characteristics of "Cease, myne eyes" are typical of the madrigal genre. The piece is written for unaccompanied voices, with the emphasis on the text and the expression of the emotions it conveys. The harmonies are often dissonant, reflecting the melancholic mood of the text. The melody is often highly ornamented, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in a complex and intricate pattern. Overall, "Cease, myne eyes" is a beautiful and poignant example of the madrigal genre, and a testament to Thomas Morley's skill as a composer. Its haunting melody and melancholic harmonies continue to captivate audiences to this day.

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