Claudio Monteverdi - Zefiro torna e il bel tempo rimena

(Il Sesto Libro de Madrigali a cinque voci (1614), composed on Petrarca’s Rime 310)

Concerto Italiano, dir. Rinaldo Alessandrini

Franz Leo Hassler (1564-1612) - Ach weh das leiden (text)

The King’s Singers

“Alas, what sorrow I feel:
must we part?
Alas, poor me,
who would not sympathise with my plight?
Alas, what pain
I feel in my heart.
If I must give you up
it will cost me my life.”

Claudio Monteverdi - Io mi son giovinetta

sung by Sprezzatura

(text in English)

John Dowland - I saw my Lady Weep, from the Second Booke of Ayres, 1600

The Consort of Musicke: Emma Kirkby (Soprano), David Thomas (Bass), Anthony Rooley (lute)

Orlande de Lassus (1532-1592) - Bonjour mon coeur

The Scholars of London

Lassus was able to turn even vulgar and popular texts of doubtful poetic content into musical pearls; sophisticated poetry such as Ronsard’s poems clearly inspired him to compose miniature masterpieces that have effortlessly withstood the test of time. He succeeds in transforming Bonjour mon coeur, an especially refined love poem by Ronsard, into an equally enchanting musical equivalent. The charm of his sweet diminutives, linked as they are by the continually-repeated word bon jour, radiates from the music. At the beginning of the song the lovesick boy greets his companion; the rhythmic acceleration strikingly depicts his passionate affection, whilst the delays contrast with his controlled tension. The deceptive simplicity of the poem is teeming with subtle details – note the final bolt from the blue at the end of the poem: ma douce rebelle! Lassus’ chanson also conveys a similar directness, and yet constantly spice it with melodic, rhythmic and harmonic subtleties that betray the presence of a master.

source: Atrium Musicologicum (http://musicologicus.blogspot.com)

Andrea Gabrieli - Vieni, vieni himeneo (madrigal for 8 voices)

King’s Consort, dir. Robert King

This madrigal was originally composed for the celebration of Venice’s engagement with the Sea, but why wouldn’t it just as well accompany Magdalene’s union with Her Heavenly Fiancé?