Composer

:

Thomas Morley

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Part Song

Compose Date

:

before 1601

Publication Date

:

1601

Average_duration

:

3:46

"Hard by a cristall fountaine" is a 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 1590, 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 describing a pastoral scene of a crystal fountain surrounded by flowers and trees. The piece is divided into three movements, with each movement featuring a different combination of voices. The first movement is sung by the upper voices, with the sopranos and altos singing in close harmony. The second movement features the lower voices, with the tenors and basses singing in a more homophonic style. The final movement brings all five voices together in a complex polyphonic texture. The characteristics of "Hard by a cristall fountaine" reflect the style of the English madrigal, which was popular during the Renaissance era. The piece features a clear and simple melody, with the voices weaving in and out of each other to create a rich and complex texture. The harmonies are often dissonant, adding a sense of tension and drama to the piece. The text painting is also a prominent feature of the piece, with the music reflecting the imagery of the pastoral scene described in the lyrics. Overall, "Hard by a cristall fountaine" is a beautiful example of the English madrigal, showcasing Morley's skill as a composer and his ability to create rich and complex textures with simple melodies and harmonies. The piece remains popular today and is often performed by choirs and vocal ensembles around the world.

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