Composer

:

Tomaso Albinoni

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

before 1702

Publication Date

:

1702

Average_duration

:

7:38

"Da l'arco d'un bel ciglio" is a vocal chamber cantata composed by Tomaso Albinoni, an Italian Baroque composer, in the early 18th century. The cantata is part of his Opus 4 collection, which was published in 1708. The piece is written for a solo soprano voice accompanied by a basso continuo, which consists of a harpsichord and a cello. The cantata is divided into three movements. The first movement is an aria in A minor, which begins with a slow and expressive introduction. The soprano voice enters with a lyrical melody that is accompanied by a simple bass line. The aria is characterized by its melancholic and introspective mood, which is emphasized by the use of minor keys and chromatic harmonies. The second movement is a recitative in A major, which serves as a transition between the aria and the final movement. The recitative is characterized by its declamatory style, in which the soprano voice delivers the text in a speech-like manner. The text of the recitative reflects on the transience of beauty and the inevitability of aging. The final movement is a lively and virtuosic aria in A minor, which features a fast and intricate vocal line that is accompanied by a lively bass line. The aria is characterized by its joyful and playful mood, which is emphasized by the use of major keys and lively rhythms. The text of the aria celebrates the power of love to overcome the ravages of time and the inevitability of death. Overall, "Da l'arco d'un bel ciglio" is a typical example of Albinoni's vocal chamber music, which is characterized by its expressive melodies, chromatic harmonies, and virtuosic vocal writing. The piece showcases Albinoni's skill in creating music that is both emotionally powerful and technically demanding, and it remains a popular work in the Baroque vocal repertoire.

More....