Composer

:

Alfonso Ferrabosco

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Average_duration

:

1:33

Alfonso Ferrabosco was an English composer of Italian descent who lived from 1543 to 1588. He was a prominent figure in the Elizabethan era, and his works were highly regarded by his contemporaries. One of his most famous works is the "Hexachord Fantasia, Ut re mi," which was composed in the late 16th century. The "Hexachord Fantasia, Ut re mi" is a six-part instrumental work that was written for viol consort. It is believed to have been composed around 1570, although the exact date is not known. The work is divided into six movements, each of which is based on a different hexachord. The hexachord was a six-note scale that was commonly used in medieval and Renaissance music. The first movement of the "Hexachord Fantasia, Ut re mi" is based on the hexachord "ut re mi fa sol la," which was commonly used in Gregorian chant. The movement is slow and contemplative, with a mournful melody that is passed between the different parts of the consort. The second movement is based on the hexachord "re mi fa sol la si," which was a popular scale in Renaissance music. This movement is faster and more lively than the first, with a lively melody that is passed between the different parts of the consort. The third movement is based on the hexachord "mi fa sol la si do," which was a common scale in medieval music. This movement is slower and more contemplative than the second, with a haunting melody that is passed between the different parts of the consort. The fourth movement is based on the hexachord "fa sol la si do re," which was a popular scale in Renaissance music. This movement is faster and more lively than the third, with a lively melody that is passed between the different parts of the consort. The fifth movement is based on the hexachord "sol la si do re mi," which was a common scale in medieval music. This movement is slower and more contemplative than the fourth, with a haunting melody that is passed between the different parts of the consort. The final movement is based on the hexachord "la si do re mi fa," which was a popular scale in Renaissance music. This movement is faster and more lively than the fifth, with a lively melody that is passed between the different parts of the consort. Overall, the "Hexachord Fantasia, Ut re mi" is a beautiful and complex work that showcases Ferrabosco's skill as a composer. The use of different hexachords in each movement gives the work a sense of unity and coherence, while the different tempos and moods of each movement create a varied and engaging listening experience.

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