Composer

:

John Wilbye

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Madrigal

Average_duration

:

2:19

"What Shall I Doe" is a madrigal composed by John Wilbye, an English composer of the Renaissance era. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, around 1598, and was first published in 1609 in Wilbye's collection of madrigals, "The Second Set of Madrigals to 3, 4, 5, and 6 Voices." The madrigal is written for five voices, with the text taken from a poem by Sir Philip Sidney. The piece is in the key of G major and is in a lively triple meter. The piece is divided into three distinct sections, each with its own character and mood. The first section begins with a lively and rhythmic introduction, with the voices entering one by one. The text is set in a playful and flirtatious manner, with the speaker asking his lover what he should do to win her heart. The music is full of energy and movement, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in a complex and intricate web of sound. The second section is more introspective and reflective, with the speaker contemplating his own feelings and emotions. The music is slower and more contemplative, with the voices singing in a more homophonic style. The harmonies are rich and complex, with the voices blending together in a warm and comforting sound. The final section returns to the lively and energetic mood of the opening, with the voices singing in a more contrapuntal style. The text is repeated, with the speaker once again asking his lover what he should do to win her heart. The music builds to a joyful and exuberant climax, with the voices soaring over each other in a glorious celebration of love and passion. Overall, "What Shall I Doe" is a masterful example of Wilbye's skill as a composer of madrigals. The piece is full of energy, passion, and complexity, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in a complex and intricate web of sound. The harmonies are rich and complex, and the text is set in a playful and flirtatious manner that perfectly captures the spirit of the poem.

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