Composer

:

Thomas Tomkins

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Madrigal

Compose Date

:

1622

Average_duration

:

2:33

Thomas Tomkins was a renowned English composer of the early Baroque era, known for his choral and keyboard works. One of his most famous compositions is "Cloris, when as I woe," a madrigal for five voices. The piece was composed in the early 17th century, likely around 1610-1615. It was first published in 1622 in Tomkins' collection of madrigals, "Songs of 3, 4, 5, and 6 Parts." "Cloris, when as I woe" is a five-movement madrigal, with each movement featuring a different combination of voices. The first movement is for two sopranos, the second for two tenors, the third for two basses, the fourth for all five voices, and the fifth for two sopranos and a bass. The piece is characterized by its intricate polyphony, with each voice weaving in and out of the others to create a rich and complex texture. The harmonies are often chromatic and unexpected, adding to the piece's emotional intensity. The text of the madrigal is a lament from a lover to his beloved, Cloris. He expresses his sorrow at her rejection of him and his longing for her to return his love. The text is full of vivid imagery, such as "my heart is like a withered tree" and "my tears like floods of rain." Overall, "Cloris, when as I woe" is a beautiful and poignant example of early Baroque choral music, showcasing Tomkins' skill as a composer and his ability to convey deep emotion through music.

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