Composer

:

Thomas Morley

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

before 1600

Publication Date

:

1600

Average_duration

:

2:56

"Thirsis and Milla" is a madrigal composed by Thomas Morley, an English composer, in the late 16th century. The piece was first published in 1595 in Morley's collection of madrigals, "The First Booke of Balletts to Five Voyces." The madrigal is written for five voices, with the text describing a pastoral scene between two lovers, Thirsis and Milla. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement begins with a lively and joyful melody, with the voices singing in unison to describe the beauty of the countryside. The second movement is slower and more contemplative, with the voices singing in harmony to express the longing and desire of the two lovers. The final movement returns to the lively and joyful melody of the first, with the voices singing in unison once again to celebrate the love between Thirsis and Milla. The piece is characteristic of the English madrigal style, which was popular in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. This style emphasized the use of word painting, where the music reflects the meaning of the text, and the use of chromaticism, where the music moves outside of the traditional diatonic scale. Overall, "Thirsis and Milla" is a beautiful example of the English madrigal style, with its lively melodies, expressive harmonies, and vivid word painting. It remains a popular piece in the choral repertoire to this day.

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