Composer

:

Luca Marenzio

Genre

:

Vocal

Publication Date

:

1581

Average_duration

:

3:51

'Qual vive salamandra in fiamm'ardente' is a madrigal composed by Luca Marenzio, an Italian composer of the late Renaissance period. The piece was included in his first book of madrigals for six voices, which was published in 1580. The premiere of the piece is not known, but it was likely performed in the courts and salons of Italy during the late 16th century. The madrigal is written in six parts, with two sopranos, two altos, a tenor, and a bass. The piece is characterized by its vivid imagery and expressive harmonies. The text, written by the poet Giovanni Battista Guarini, describes a salamander living in a fiery furnace, and the music reflects this imagery with its fiery, passionate melodies and harmonies. The madrigal is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct character. The first section is slow and contemplative, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in a complex web of harmonies. The second section is faster and more rhythmic, with the voices imitating each other in a lively dance-like pattern. The final section returns to the slower, more contemplative mood of the opening, with the voices gradually fading away into silence. Overall, 'Qual vive salamandra in fiamm'ardente' is a masterful example of Marenzio's skill as a composer of madrigals. Its vivid imagery, expressive harmonies, and complex polyphony make it a standout work of the late Renaissance period.

More....