Composer

:

Carlo Gesualdo

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1611

Average_duration

:

6:17

'Caligaverunt oculi mei, W. 7/64' is a sacred motet 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 believed to have been premiered in Gesualdo's private chapel in his castle in Naples. The motet is written for five voices, with two sopranos, alto, tenor, and bass. It is divided into three movements, with the first and third movements being in a homophonic style, while the second movement is in a polyphonic style. The first movement begins with a mournful and dissonant chord progression, setting the tone for the piece. The text, taken from the Book of Lamentations, describes the suffering of the speaker and their eyes being darkened by grief. The music reflects this despair, with the dissonant harmonies and chromaticism creating a sense of unease and tension. The second movement is a more complex and intricate polyphonic setting of the same text. The voices weave in and out of each other, creating a dense and intricate texture. The harmonies are still dissonant, but the polyphonic style allows for more movement and variation. The final movement returns to the homophonic style of the first movement, with the voices singing in unison for much of the piece. The harmonies are still dissonant, but there is a sense of resolution and closure as the text describes the speaker's hope in God's mercy. Overall, 'Caligaverunt oculi mei' is a powerful and emotional piece of music, reflecting Gesualdo's unique and innovative style. The use of dissonance and chromaticism was highly unusual for the time, and the complex polyphonic writing was ahead of its time. The piece remains a testament to Gesualdo's skill as a composer and his ability to convey deep emotion through music.

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