Composer

:

Antony Holborne

Genre

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Chamber

Style

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Character Piece

Average_duration

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4:11

The Countess of Pembroke's Paradise is a collection of instrumental music composed by Antony Holborne, a prominent English composer and lutenist of the late Renaissance period. The collection was published in London in 1599, and it is believed to have been dedicated to Mary Sidney, the Countess of Pembroke, who was a patron of the arts and a prominent figure in the Elizabethan court. The collection consists of 21 pieces, all of which are written for a consort of viols, a popular ensemble of the time that typically included a bass viol, a tenor viol, and two or three treble viols. The pieces are divided into three sections or "movements," each of which contains a number of dances and other instrumental forms. The first movement of The Countess of Pembroke's Paradise consists of nine pieces, including several pavans, a popular slow dance of the time, as well as a galliard, a faster dance that was often paired with the pavan. The second movement contains six pieces, including a fantasia, a type of instrumental composition that was characterized by its free-flowing, improvisatory style. The third and final movement contains six pieces, including several almaines, a type of dance that was popular in England during the Renaissance. The music of The Countess of Pembroke's Paradise is characterized by its intricate polyphony, or the interweaving of multiple melodic lines, as well as its use of chromaticism, or the use of notes outside of the traditional diatonic scale. The pieces are also notable for their use of ornamentation, or the embellishment of melodic lines with trills, turns, and other decorative flourishes. Overall, The Countess of Pembroke's Paradise is a significant example of English instrumental music from the late Renaissance period. Its intricate polyphony, use of chromaticism, and ornamental style make it a valuable contribution to the repertoire of the viol consort, and a testament to the skill and creativity of Antony Holborne as a composer.

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