Composer

:

Luca Marenzio

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Part Song

Publication Date

:

1595

'Care mie selve, a Dio' is a madrigal composed by Luca Marenzio, an Italian composer of the late Renaissance period. The piece was included in his 'Il secondo libro de madrigali a 5 voci', which was published in 1580. The premiere of the piece is not known, but it was likely performed in the courts of Italy during the late 16th century. The madrigal is written for five voices and is characterized by its expressive and emotional qualities. The text, which is in Italian, speaks of the pain and suffering of the speaker, who is separated from their lover. The music reflects the text, with dissonant harmonies and chromaticism used to convey the speaker's anguish. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which has its own distinct character. The first movement is slow and mournful, with the voices singing in a homophonic texture. The second movement is faster and more rhythmic, with the voices imitating each other in a polyphonic texture. The final movement returns to the slow and mournful character of the first, with the voices singing in a homophonic texture once again. Overall, 'Care mie selve, a Dio' is a powerful and emotional piece of music that showcases Marenzio's skill as a composer. Its expressive qualities and use of dissonance and chromaticism make it a standout work of the late Renaissance period.

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