Composer

:

John Wilbye

Genre

:

Vocal

Publication Date

:

1598

John Wilbye's "When shall my wretched life" is a poignant and melancholic madrigal that was composed in the late 16th century. It is part of his First Set of English Madrigals, which was published in 1598. The piece is written for five voices, and its premiere is unknown. The madrigal is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is slow and mournful, with the voices singing in unison to express the speaker's despair. The second movement is more lively, with the voices weaving in and out of each other to create a sense of confusion and desperation. The final movement returns to the slow, mournful pace of the first, with the voices coming together in a final plea for release from the speaker's misery. The text of the madrigal is a poem by Sir Philip Sidney, which tells the story of a lover who is consumed by his own misery and longs for death to release him from his pain. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful emotions, which Wilbye captures perfectly in his music. The madrigal is characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which create a sense of tension and unease throughout the piece. Overall, "When shall my wretched life" is a masterful example of the English madrigal, and a testament to Wilbye's skill as a composer. Its haunting melody and poignant lyrics continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a timeless classic of the Renaissance era.

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