Composer

:

Carlo Gesualdo

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1603

Average_duration

:

3:02

'Ardens est cor meum' 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 part of his collection of sacred music, 'Sacrae Cantiones Liber Primus'. The motet was premiered in Gesualdo's private chapel in his castle in Gesualdo, Italy. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and musical style. The first movement is marked 'Adoramus te, Christe' and is a solemn and contemplative setting of the text. The second movement, 'Ardens est cor meum', is the most dramatic and intense of the three, with Gesualdo's signature chromatic harmonies and dissonances creating a sense of emotional turmoil. The final movement, 'Exaudi, Christe', is a prayerful and serene setting of the text. Gesualdo's use of chromaticism and dissonance in 'Ardens est cor meum' is particularly noteworthy. He employs these techniques to create a sense of tension and emotional intensity, reflecting the text's themes of burning love and desire for God. The piece also features Gesualdo's characteristic use of word painting, with the music mirroring the meaning of the text. Overall, 'Ardens est cor meum' is a powerful and expressive work that showcases Gesualdo's unique musical style and his ability to convey complex emotions through music.

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