Composer

:

Tobias Hume

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1605

Average_duration

:

2:08

"Fain Would I Change That Note" is a composition for soprano and ensemble by Tobias Hume, an English composer and viol player who lived from 1569 to 1645. The piece was likely composed in the early 17th century, although the exact date is unknown. The composition consists of a single movement, which is characterized by its melancholic and introspective mood. The soprano sings a plaintive melody over a sparse accompaniment of viols and lutes, with occasional interjections from a solo viol. The text of the piece is a poem by Sir Philip Sidney, which laments the inability of music to express the full range of human emotions. The premiere of "Fain Would I Change That Note" is not recorded, but it was likely performed in the courtly circles in which Hume moved. Hume was a member of the household of the Earl of Pembroke, and his music was likely performed at courtly entertainments and private gatherings. The piece is notable for its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which were relatively uncommon in English music of the time. Hume was influenced by the Italian madrigal style, which emphasized expressive dissonances and word painting. The sparse accompaniment and melancholic mood of the piece also reflect the influence of the lute song tradition, which was popular in England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Overall, "Fain Would I Change That Note" is a haunting and introspective work that reflects the complex emotional landscape of the early 17th century. Its use of dissonance and chromaticism, as well as its sparse accompaniment and melancholic mood, make it a unique and compelling example of English music from this period.

More....