Composer

:

John Wilbye

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Madrigal

Compose Date

:

1609

Average_duration

:

3:10

'Adieu, sweet Amaryllis' is a madrigal composed by John Wilbye, an English composer of the Renaissance era. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, around 1598, and was first published in 1609 in Wilbye's collection of madrigals, 'The Second Set of Madrigals to 3, 4, 5, and 6 Voices'. The madrigal is written for five voices, with the text in English. It is a farewell song, with the speaker bidding farewell to his beloved Amaryllis. The piece is divided into three movements, with each movement expressing a different emotion. The first movement is marked 'Allegro', and is characterized by its lively and energetic tempo. The music is full of joy and excitement, reflecting the speaker's happiness at being with Amaryllis. The vocal lines are interwoven, with each voice contributing to the overall texture of the piece. The second movement is marked 'Adagio', and is much slower and more contemplative than the first. The music is more somber, reflecting the speaker's sadness at having to say goodbye to Amaryllis. The vocal lines are more independent in this movement, with each voice expressing its own individual emotion. The final movement is marked 'Allegro', and is similar in tempo and character to the first movement. The music is once again full of energy and excitement, reflecting the speaker's determination to make the most of his time with Amaryllis before they part ways. Overall, 'Adieu, sweet Amaryllis' is a beautiful and expressive madrigal that showcases Wilbye's skill as a composer. The piece is full of emotion and energy, and is a testament to the enduring power of Renaissance music.

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