Date:Published in 1609 (in Deuteromelia) Description:“Lady, Come Down” is a lively and flirtatious English catch (round) from the early 17th century, featured in Thomas Ravenscroft’s collection Deuteromelia. The piece is short, repetitive, and humorous, written for multiple voices to be sung in canon. Its cheerful character and simple structure made …
Date:Late 15th century (appears in the Cancionero de Palacio, dated approximately 1490–1520) Description:“La Tricotea San Martin la vea” is a playful and satirical three-part song attributed to Alonso de la Plaja, found in the Cancionero de Palacio. The piece is a Spanish adaptation of a French song documented in the …
Date:1603 Description:“La Sirena,” also known as “La Caccia”, is a lively and energetic piece by Giovanni Girolamo Gastoldi. This version is one of the more famous settings of the “caccia” genre, where voices imitate each other in a lively, overlapping manner, evoking the feel of a hunt. The composition uses …
Date:Mid-16th century (c. 1550) Description:“La, la, la, je ne l’ose dire” is a lively and humorous chanson by French Renaissance composer Pierre Certon. The title means “La, la, la, I dare not say it”, suggesting the singer is playfully avoiding revealing a mischievous or inappropriate detail. It is structured with …
Date: Late 16th century (exact date uncertain) Description:A joyful and concise Latin motet, often arranged as a round or canon. Frequently attributed to composers such as Michael Praetorius or anonymous Renaissance origins. It is widely used in choral settings for its bright mood and easy adaptability for beginners and youth …
Date:13th century Description:The 13th-century gymel version of “Jesu Cristes Milde Moder” is a setting of the Latin hymn dedicated to the Virgin Mary, arranged in the style of gymel. Gymel is a medieval contrapuntal technique in which two or more voices move together in parallel motion, usually in a perfect …
Date:c. 1538 Description:“Il Bianco e Dolce Cigno” is one of the most famous madrigals by the Flemish composer Jacques Arcadelt. This early Italian madrigal is known for its rich harmonies and expressive text setting, typical of the early madrigal style. The title translates as “The White and Sweet Swan,” and …
Date:c. 1560 Description:“If Ye Love Me” is a beautiful English anthem by Thomas Tallis, often performed in church settings. It is a simple yet elegant motet, written for four voices, and is known for its smooth, flowing melodies and serene harmonies. The text is drawn from the Bible, specifically from …
Date:1609 Description:“I Lay with an Old Man” is a humorous English song by Thomas Ravenscroft, included in his Deuteromelia (1609). This piece falls under the category of a “catch,” a type of English round or canonic song that was popular in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The song …
Date:Early 16th century (circa 1500s) Description:“Hoyda, Hoyda, Jolly Rutterkin” is a spirited English Renaissance song, attributed to William Cornysh. The piece exemplifies the jovial and rhythmic character of early 16th-century English music, often associated with courtly entertainments and masques. Discussion:The song’s repetitive “Hoyda” refrain and catchy melody suggest it was …