Composer

:

Francesco Landini

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Ballata

Compose Date

:

ca. 1350 - 1397

Average_duration

:

1:53

"El mie dolce sospir" is a fourteenth-century Italian ballata composed by Francesco Landini. The ballata was written in the trecento style, which was popular in Italy during the fourteenth century. The piece is known for its beautiful melody and expressive lyrics, which are typical of the trecento style. The ballata was composed in the early fourteenth century, during the time when Landini was active as a musician and composer in Florence. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written sometime between 1335 and 1397. The ballata is written in three movements, with each movement featuring a different melody and set of lyrics. The first movement is characterized by a slow, mournful melody and lyrics that express the speaker's longing for his beloved. The second movement is more upbeat, with a faster tempo and lyrics that express the speaker's joy at being reunited with his beloved. The third movement returns to the slow, mournful melody of the first movement, with lyrics that express the speaker's sadness at having to part from his beloved once again. The ballata is known for its use of the Landini cadence, a musical device that Landini is credited with inventing. The Landini cadence is a distinctive chord progression that features a major sixth interval between the third and sixth notes of the scale. This chord progression is used extensively throughout the ballata, giving it a unique and recognizable sound. Overall, "El mie dolce sospir" is a beautiful example of the trecento style, with its expressive lyrics, beautiful melody, and innovative use of the Landini cadence. It remains a popular piece of music today, and is often performed by early music ensembles and choirs.

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