Composer

:

Carlo Gesualdo

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1594

Average_duration

:

2:32

'Non mai non cangerò, W. 2/51' 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 1594, and was premiered in Gesualdo's own palace in Naples, Italy. The madrigal is written for five voices, and is divided into three movements. The first movement is marked "Allegro", and features a lively and energetic melody that is passed between the voices. The second movement is marked "Adagio", and is a slower and more contemplative section that features a more complex and intricate harmonic structure. The final movement is marked "Allegro", and returns to the lively and energetic style of the first movement. One of the most notable characteristics of 'Non mai non cangerò' is Gesualdo's use of chromaticism. The piece features a number of unusual and unexpected harmonic shifts, as well as dissonant chords and unresolved suspensions. This use of chromaticism was highly unusual for the time, and has led some scholars to describe Gesualdo as a "proto-modernist" composer. Another notable characteristic of the piece is its use of word-painting. Gesualdo was known for his ability to match the music to the text of the lyrics, and 'Non mai non cangerò' is no exception. The piece features a number of musical gestures that reflect the meaning of the text, such as sudden shifts in dynamics to represent a change in mood or the use of dissonance to represent conflict or tension. Overall, 'Non mai non cangerò' is a highly expressive and innovative piece of music that showcases Gesualdo's unique compositional style. Its use of chromaticism and word-painting make it a landmark work in the history of Western music, and it continues to be studied and performed by musicians and scholars today.

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