Composer

:

John Wilbye

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Madrigal

Compose Date

:

1609

Average_duration

:

4:52

"Draw On, Sweet Night, Best Friend unto Those Cares" 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 taken from a poem by Sir William Leighton. The piece is in the key of G minor and is in a slow, melancholic tempo. The piece is divided into three sections, with each section featuring different vocal combinations and textures. The first section begins with a solo voice singing the opening line, "Draw on, sweet night, best friend unto those cares," followed by the other voices joining in harmony. The second section features a duet between two voices, with the other voices providing a gentle accompaniment. The final section features all five voices singing together in harmony, with the piece ending on a soft, peaceful note. The piece is characterized by its use of rich harmonies and expressive melodies, which convey the melancholic mood of the text. The use of vocal textures and combinations also adds depth and complexity to the piece, making it a prime example of Wilbye's skill as a composer of madrigals. Overall, "Draw On, Sweet Night, Best Friend unto Those Cares" is a beautiful and poignant piece of music that showcases the beauty and complexity of Renaissance-era madrigals.

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