Composer

:

Thomas Morley

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Part Song

Compose Date

:

before 1594

Publication Date

:

1594

Average_duration

:

2:39

"Now is the gentle season" 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 1595, 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 taken from a poem by Thomas Nashe. The piece is in the key of G major and is in a homophonic style, with the voices moving together in harmony. The piece is in a simple triple meter, with a moderate tempo. The piece is divided into three sections, with each section having a different character. The first section is marked by a gentle and flowing melody, with the voices moving in a smooth and graceful manner. The second section is more lively and energetic, with the voices moving in a more rhythmic and syncopated manner. The final section returns to the gentle and flowing character of the opening, with the voices moving in a more homophonic and harmonious manner. The piece is characterized by its use of word painting, with the music reflecting the meaning of the text. For example, the word "gentle" is set to a gentle and flowing melody, while the word "frolic" is set to a more lively and energetic rhythm. The piece also makes use of imitative polyphony, with the voices echoing and imitating each other in a playful and joyful manner. Overall, "Now is the gentle season" is a charming and delightful madrigal, reflecting the joy and beauty of the English countryside in the late Renaissance era. Its simple and graceful melody, combined with its playful and joyful character, make it a beloved piece of English choral music.

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