Thomas Morley
Let my complaint
Works Info
Composer:Thomas MorleyGenre:ChoralStyle:ChoralPublication Date:1933Average_duration:3:52Let My Complaint is a beautiful and melancholic madrigal composed by Thomas Morley, an English composer, organist, and theorist of the Renaissance era. The piece was composed in the late 16th century and was first published in 1595 in Morley's collection of madrigals, titled "The Triumphs of Oriana." The madrigal is written for five voices, and it is a perfect example of the English madrigal style, which was popular during the Renaissance period. The piece is characterized by its expressive and emotional text, which is set to a beautiful and intricate musical composition. The madrigal is divided into three movements, each with its own unique character and mood. The first movement is slow and mournful, with the voices singing in a homophonic texture. The second movement is more lively and rhythmic, with the voices singing in a polyphonic texture. The final movement returns to the slow and mournful character of the first movement, with the voices singing in a homophonic texture once again. The text of the madrigal is a lamentation of unrequited love, with the speaker expressing his sorrow and despair at the rejection of his love. The text is full of vivid imagery and powerful emotions, which are reflected in the music. The music is characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which create a sense of tension and unease. Overall, Let My Complaint is a beautiful and poignant example of the English madrigal style, and it showcases Morley's skill as a composer and his ability to express powerful emotions through music. The piece has remained popular to this day and is still performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.More....