Date:1608 (published in Scherzi Musicali, Venice) Description:“Contrapunto Bestiale alla Mente” is a witty and inventive madrigal by Adriano Banchieri, an Italian composer, theorist, and organist. The piece is a humorous parody of learned counterpoint, featuring animal sounds and character voices (such as the cat, dog, cuckoo, owl, and donkey) singing …
Date:Late 15th century (c. 1490–1500) Description:“Como pudeo yo vivir” (modern spelling: ¿Cómo puedo yo vivir sin mi bien?) is a poignant Spanish love song from the Cancionero de Palacio, a major collection of courtly music from late 15th-century Spain. The title translates to “How can I live without my beloved?” …
Date:1597 (published in The Cittharn Schoole) Description:“Change then for lo, she changeth” is a melancholic and refined Elizabethan song composed by William Holborne, brother of the more famous Anthony Holborne. It was published in The Cittharn Schoole, a collection of songs and dances for cittern (a wire-strung plucked instrument popular …
Date:Late 16th century (c. 1580–1590) Description:“Célébrons sans cesse de Dieu les bontés” (Let us ceaselessly celebrate the goodness of God) is a French sacred chanson or psalm setting by Orlando di Lasso (also known as Orlande de Lassus), one of the most prolific and influential composers of the Renaissance. This …
Date:Early 16th century (c. 1520) Description:“Brounswycke” is a stately instrumental piece found in Renaissance dance and consort music collections. The name likely refers to Brunswick (Braunschweig), a historical German duchy, hinting at its continental influence or origin. It’s commonly performed as a processional or pavane-like piece, with a steady duple …
Date:Early 17th century (c. 1600–1615) Description:“Black Alman” (or “Black Almain”) is a stately instrumental dance in almain (allemande) style, popular in England during the late Renaissance and early Baroque period. Often attributed to composers like Anthony Holborne or Thomas Morley, it was a well-known tune performed at courtly events, masques, …
Date:Late 16th century (published 1589) Description:“Belle qui tiens ma vie” is a charming and elegant French pavane composed by Thoinot Arbeau, featured in his famous dance manual Orchésographie. The piece is both a dance and a love song, expressing devotion to a beloved with courtly grace. Its slow, stately rhythm …
Date:Late 15th century (c. 1476–1500) Description:“Ave Vera Virginitas” is a luminous motet composed by Josquin des Prez, celebrating the Virgin Mary. Its title translates to “Hail, True Virginity”, and the text exalts Mary’s purity and role in the Incarnation. This piece showcases Josquin’s masterful control of vocal texture, imitative counterpoint, …
Date:1609 (published in Deuteromelia) Description:As I me walked is a rustic, humorous English folk song, preserved by Thomas Ravenscroft in his 1609 collection Deuteromelia. It paints a light, cheeky picture of a countryside encounter, in the lively, slightly bawdy tradition of English catches and rounds. Though simple, it captures the …
Date:Late 16th century (published 1594) Description:April is in my Mistress’ Face is a well-known English madrigal by Thomas Morley, set to a short, evocative text comparing the changing emotions of a lady’s face to the seasons. Despite its brevity, the piece beautifully captures both the elegance and emotional nuance of …