Composer

:

John Wilbye

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Madrigal

Compose Date

:

1598

Average_duration

:

1:35

'Flora gave me fairest flowers' is a madrigal composed by John Wilbye, an English composer of the Renaissance period. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, around 1598, and was first published in his collection of madrigals, "The Second Set of Madrigals to 3, 4, 5, and 6 Voices" in 1609. The madrigal is written for five voices, with the text taken from a poem by George Peele. The piece is in a lively and joyful mood, with a fast tempo and a bright tonality. The piece is in the key of G major and is written in a homophonic style, with all voices moving together in harmony. The piece is divided into three sections or movements, each with its own distinct character. The first section is marked by a lively and energetic rhythm, with the voices singing in unison to create a sense of unity and excitement. The second section is more subdued, with the voices singing in a more gentle and flowing manner. The final section returns to the lively and energetic mood of the first section, with the voices building to a joyful and triumphant conclusion. The piece is characterized by its use of word painting, with the music reflecting the meaning of the text. For example, the line "the lark mounts up to heaven's gate" is accompanied by a rising melody, while the line "the nightingale sings sweet" is accompanied by a more lyrical and melodic line. Overall, 'Flora gave me fairest flowers' is a delightful and charming madrigal, showcasing Wilbye's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both beautiful and expressive.

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