Composer

:

Francesco Landini

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Ballata

Compose Date

:

ca. 1350 - 1397

Average_duration

:

4:06

Lasso! di donna, S. 138 is a secular vocal composition by the Italian composer Francesco Landini. It was composed in the 14th century during the Ars Nova period of music, which was characterized by complex rhythmic and melodic structures. The piece is written for three voices and is considered one of Landini's most famous works. The premiere of Lasso! di donna is unknown, but it was likely performed in the courts of Italy during the 14th century. The piece consists of three movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement is a lively and energetic canzone, characterized by its syncopated rhythms and playful melodies. The vocal lines are highly ornamented, with frequent use of trills, turns, and other embellishments. The text of the canzone is a playful love poem, in which the speaker compares his beloved to a bird that he wishes to capture and keep in a cage. The second movement is a ballata, a type of Italian song that was popular during the 14th and 15th centuries. The ballata is slower and more contemplative than the canzone, with a more straightforward melody and rhythm. The vocal lines are still highly ornamented, but the overall mood is more introspective. The text of the ballata is a lament for lost love, in which the speaker expresses his sorrow and longing for his beloved. The final movement is another canzone, similar in style to the first. It is faster and more energetic than the ballata, with a lively melody and complex rhythms. The vocal lines are once again highly ornamented, with frequent use of trills and other embellishments. The text of the canzone is a playful love poem, in which the speaker compares his beloved to a flower that he wishes to pluck and keep for himself. Overall, Lasso! di donna is a lively and playful work that showcases Landini's skill as a composer. The piece is notable for its complex rhythms and highly ornamented vocal lines, as well as its playful and sometimes bawdy lyrics. It remains a popular work in the repertoire of early music performers and is considered a classic of the Ars Nova period.

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