Composer

:

Gavin Bryars

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

11:21

Gavin Bryars' "A qualunque animale (Fourth Book of Madrigals)" is a collection of six madrigals for unaccompanied choir. The work was composed in 1994 and premiered in the same year by the Hilliard Ensemble. The first movement, "A qualunque animale," is a setting of a text by the Italian poet Giuseppe Ungaretti. The music is characterized by a slow, mournful melody that is passed between the voices, creating a sense of longing and sadness. The second movement, "Odi et amo," is based on a poem by the Roman poet Catullus. The music is more lively and rhythmic than the first movement, with the voices interweaving in complex patterns. The third movement, "O sacrum convivium," is a setting of a Latin text from the Catholic Mass. The music is serene and contemplative, with the voices blending together in a rich harmony. The fourth movement, "Laude novella," is a setting of a text by the Italian poet Jacopone da Todi. The music is joyful and celebratory, with the voices soaring in exultation. The fifth movement, "O virtus sapientiae," is a setting of a text by the medieval mystic Hildegard von Bingen. The music is ethereal and otherworldly, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in a complex tapestry. The final movement, "Ave regina caelorum," is a setting of a medieval hymn to the Virgin Mary. The music is gentle and reverent, with the voices blending together in a peaceful harmony. Overall, "A qualunque animale" is characterized by Bryars' skillful use of harmony and counterpoint, as well as his ability to evoke a wide range of emotions through his music. The work is a testament to the enduring power of the madrigal form, and a fitting tribute to the great poets and mystics of the past.

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