Composer

:

John Farmer

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Madrigal

Compose Date

:

1599

Average_duration

:

1:32

"Fair Phyllis I Saw Sitting All Alone" is a popular English madrigal composed by John Farmer in the late 16th century. The piece was first published in 1599 in a collection of madrigals called "The Triumphs of Oriana." The madrigal is written for four voices, typically two sopranos, a tenor, and a bass. The piece is composed in a lively and playful style, with a simple and catchy melody that is repeated throughout the piece. The text of the madrigal tells the story of a shepherdess named Phyllis who is sitting alone in a field. The shepherd Strephon sees her and approaches her, and the two begin to flirt and play together. The madrigal is divided into three distinct sections or movements. The first movement begins with the soprano voices singing the melody in unison, followed by the tenor and bass voices joining in. The second movement features a call-and-response section between the two sopranos, with the tenor and bass providing a rhythmic accompaniment. The final movement returns to the original melody, with all four voices singing together in harmony. One of the most notable characteristics of "Fair Phyllis I Saw Sitting All Alone" is its use of word painting. The music reflects the meaning of the text, with the playful and flirtatious melody reflecting the lighthearted nature of the story. The call-and-response section in the second movement also reflects the back-and-forth flirtation between Phyllis and Strephon. Overall, "Fair Phyllis I Saw Sitting All Alone" is a charming and delightful example of English madrigal music. Its catchy melody and playful lyrics have made it a popular piece for choirs and vocal ensembles to perform, even centuries after its composition.

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