Composer

:

Francesco Landini

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Ballata

Compose Date

:

ca. 1350 - 1397

Average_duration

:

4:50

"Donna, s'i' t'ho fallito" is a ballata composed by Francesco Landini, a prominent Italian composer of the 14th century. The ballata was likely composed in the late 1350s or early 1360s, during Landini's tenure as organist at the church of San Lorenzo in Florence. The ballata is written for three voices, with the melody carried by the top voice and the lower voices providing harmonic support. The text of the ballata is in Italian, and tells the story of a man who has failed to keep a promise to his lover. The man begs for forgiveness and promises to make it up to her. The ballata is structured in three movements, with each movement featuring a different text and melody. The first movement begins with a plaintive melody in the top voice, accompanied by a simple harmonic progression in the lower voices. The second movement features a more lively melody, with the top voice weaving in and out of the lower voices. The final movement returns to the plaintive melody of the first movement, with the top voice singing a variation on the original melody. One of the most striking characteristics of Landini's music is his use of dissonance. In "Donna, s'i' t'ho fallito," Landini frequently employs dissonant intervals such as the tritone and the minor seventh. These dissonances create a sense of tension and yearning that is characteristic of much of Landini's music. Overall, "Donna, s'i' t'ho fallito" is a beautiful example of Landini's skill as a composer. The ballata's simple yet expressive melodies and its use of dissonance make it a powerful and moving work that continues to be performed and admired today.

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