Composer

:

Thomas Morley

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

before 1595

Publication Date

:

1595

Average_duration

:

1:24

"I goe before, my darling" is a beautiful and romantic madrigal composed by Thomas Morley, an English composer, organist, and theorist of the Renaissance era. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, around 1595, and was first published in his collection of madrigals, "The Triumphs of Oriana" in 1601. The madrigal is written for five voices, with the text taken from a poem by Thomas Watson. The piece is in a lively and upbeat tempo, with a joyful and celebratory mood. The piece is in the key of G major and is written in a homophonic style, with all the voices moving together in harmony. The piece is divided into three distinct sections or movements. The first section begins with the words "I goe before, my darling," and features a lively and rhythmic melody in the upper voices, with the lower voices providing a steady and supportive bass line. The second section, beginning with the words "To kisse my lady sweet," is more subdued and features a beautiful and delicate melody in the upper voices, with the lower voices providing a gentle and flowing accompaniment. The final section, beginning with the words "And though I feare to lose thee," returns to the lively and rhythmic style of the opening section, with all the voices coming together in a joyful and celebratory conclusion. The piece is characterized by its beautiful and intricate harmonies, its lively and rhythmic melodies, and its joyful and celebratory mood. It is a perfect example of the English madrigal style, which was popular in the late Renaissance era and featured complex harmonies, intricate melodies, and expressive text settings. "I goe before, my darling" is a beautiful and romantic piece of music that continues to be enjoyed and performed by musicians and audiences around the world.

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