Composer

:

Sigismondo d'India

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1618

Average_duration

:

1:22

"Hor che 'l ciel" is a vocal piece composed by Sigismondo d'India, an Italian composer of the early Baroque era. The piece was composed in the early 17th century and premiered in Rome in 1609. It is a solo madrigal, which means that it is a vocal piece for one singer accompanied by a basso continuo, a type of accompaniment that consists of a bass line and chords played on a keyboard instrument or a lute. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is slow and contemplative, with a mournful melody that reflects the sadness of the text. The second movement is faster and more lively, with a more upbeat melody that reflects the hopefulness of the text. The third movement is slower and more introspective, with a melody that reflects the resignation of the text. The text of "Hor che 'l ciel" is a sonnet by the Italian poet Francesco Petrarca. The sonnet is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The first movement of the piece reflects the sadness of the text, with the singer lamenting the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. The second movement reflects the hopefulness of the text, with the singer expressing the belief that love can transcend death and that the soul can live on after the body has died. The third movement reflects the resignation of the text, with the singer accepting the inevitability of death and expressing the hope that the soul will find peace in the afterlife. Overall, "Hor che 'l ciel" is a beautiful and poignant piece of music that reflects the themes of love, death, and the transience of life. It is a testament to the skill and artistry of Sigismondo d'India, who was one of the most important composers of the early Baroque era.

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