Composer

:

Carlo Gesualdo

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Madrigal

Compose Date

:

1611

Average_duration

:

3:18

'S'io non miro non moro' is a madrigal composed by Carlo Gesualdo, an Italian composer and nobleman of the late Renaissance period. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, around 1594, and is part of his sixth book of madrigals. The premiere of the piece is unknown, but it was likely performed in the courts of Ferrara or Naples, where Gesualdo spent most of his life. The piece is written for five voices, with two sopranos, alto, tenor, and bass. It is divided into two sections, with the first section being in a homophonic style and the second section being more contrapuntal. The text of the madrigal is in Italian and is a love poem that expresses the idea that the speaker cannot live without seeing his beloved. The piece is characteristic of Gesualdo's style, which is known for its chromaticism and dissonance. Gesualdo was known for his use of unconventional harmonies and his willingness to break the rules of traditional counterpoint. 'S'io non miro non moro' is no exception, with its use of unexpected chord progressions and dissonant intervals. The piece begins with a simple homophonic section, with all voices singing the same melody in unison. The melody is then repeated with slight variations, with the sopranos and alto singing a descending line while the tenor and bass sing an ascending line. The second section of the piece is more complex, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in a contrapuntal style. The piece ends with a return to the homophonic style of the beginning, with all voices singing the same melody in unison. Overall, 'S'io non miro non moro' is a beautiful and haunting piece of music that showcases Gesualdo's unique style and his willingness to push the boundaries of traditional music. Its use of chromaticism and dissonance make it a challenging piece for performers, but also a rewarding one for those who are able to master it.

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