Composer

:

Luca Marenzio

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Part Song

Publication Date

:

1582

Average_duration

:

2:16

Luca Marenzio's 'Scaldava il sol di mezzo giorno l'arco' is a madrigal from his third book of madrigals for five voices. The book was composed in 1592 and premiered in the same year. The madrigal is in the key of G major and has three movements. The first movement is marked 'Allegro' and begins with a lively and energetic instrumental introduction. The voices then enter with a joyful and celebratory melody, singing about the warmth of the midday sun and the beauty of nature. The vocal lines are highly ornamented and feature intricate polyphony, with each voice weaving in and out of the texture. The second movement is marked 'Adagio' and is a stark contrast to the first. The tempo slows down and the mood becomes more introspective and melancholic. The vocal lines are more homophonic, with the voices singing in unison or in simple harmonies. The text speaks of the pain of love and the longing for a lost lover. The final movement is marked 'Allegro' and returns to the joyful and celebratory mood of the first. The vocal lines are once again highly ornamented and feature complex polyphony. The text speaks of the power of love to overcome all obstacles and the joy of being reunited with a loved one. Overall, 'Scaldava il sol di mezzo giorno l'arco' is a prime example of Marenzio's skill as a composer of madrigals. The piece showcases his ability to create intricate polyphony and to use vocal ornamentation to convey emotion and meaning. The three movements of the madrigal also demonstrate Marenzio's ability to create contrasting moods and textures within a single piece of music.

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