Composer

:

Carlo Gesualdo

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Madrigal

Compose Date

:

1596

Average_duration

:

3:52

'Cor mio deh non piangete' is a madrigal composed by Carlo Gesualdo, an Italian composer and nobleman of the late Renaissance period. The piece was composed in the late 16th century, around 1590, and is part of Gesualdo's sixth book of madrigals. The piece premiered in Italy, likely in Naples, where Gesualdo was living at the time. The madrigal is written for five voices, with two sopranos, alto, tenor, and bass. It is divided into two sections, with the first section featuring a homophonic texture and the second section featuring a more contrapuntal texture. The piece is characterized by Gesualdo's use of chromaticism, which was a hallmark of his style. The chromaticism creates a sense of tension and dissonance, which is then resolved in the final cadence. The text of the madrigal is a lament from a lover to his beloved, asking her not to cry for him. The text is set to a melancholic melody, which is then developed and expanded upon throughout the piece. The use of word painting is also evident in the madrigal, with Gesualdo using musical gestures to illustrate the text. For example, the word "pietà" (pity) is set to a descending melody, which creates a sense of sadness and compassion. Overall, 'Cor mio deh non piangete' is a prime example of Gesualdo's unique style, which was characterized by his use of chromaticism and his exploration of the emotional depths of the human experience. The piece remains a popular work in the madrigal repertoire and is often performed by vocal ensembles today.

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