Composer

:

Thomas Robinson

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

before 1603

Average_duration

:

2:08

"Twenty ways upon the bells" is a composition for solo lute by Thomas Robinson, a prominent English lutenist and composer of the late Renaissance period. The piece was composed in the early 17th century and was first published in Robinson's collection of lute music, "The Schoole of Musicke," in 1603. The composition consists of twenty short movements, each of which is based on a different bell pattern. The movements are arranged in a progressive order of difficulty, with the first few movements being relatively simple and the later movements becoming increasingly complex. The first movement is a simple arpeggio pattern, while the second movement introduces a more complex rhythmic pattern. The third movement features a dotted rhythm, and the fourth movement is a lively dance in triple meter. The fifth movement is a slow and expressive piece, while the sixth movement is a fast and virtuosic piece that requires considerable technical skill. The seventh movement features a syncopated rhythm, while the eighth movement is a lively dance in duple meter. The ninth movement is a slow and expressive piece in a minor key, while the tenth movement is a fast and virtuosic piece that requires considerable technical skill. The eleventh movement features a dotted rhythm, while the twelfth movement is a lively dance in triple meter. The thirteenth movement is a slow and expressive piece, while the fourteenth movement is a fast and virtuosic piece that requires considerable technical skill. The fifteenth movement features a syncopated rhythm, while the sixteenth movement is a lively dance in duple meter. The seventeenth movement is a slow and expressive piece in a minor key, while the eighteenth movement is a fast and virtuosic piece that requires considerable technical skill. The nineteenth movement features a dotted rhythm, while the twentieth and final movement is a lively dance in triple meter. The piece ends with a flourish, showcasing the lutenist's technical skill and virtuosity. Overall, "Twenty ways upon the bells" is a challenging and virtuosic piece that showcases the technical and expressive capabilities of the lute. The piece is notable for its use of different rhythmic patterns and bell patterns, which add variety and interest to the composition.

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