Essentials of Music - Audio Examples

Monteverdi: Madrigals

Lamendo d'Arianna
This madrigal is from Monteverdi's sixth book (1614). The opening words are "Let me die!" Monteverdi provides a setting in which the melody gives a sense of pain that is compounded by the surprising harmonies.
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Essential Classics

Bel Pastor
This work is from the ninth book (published after the composer's death). Here, the natural rhythms of speech are used to create a realistic dialogue between a shepherd and a shepherdess (almost approaching recitative). This is freely mixed with lilting triple-meter sections.
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Lamento della Ninfa
This is from Monteverdi's eighth book (the so-called Madrigals of Love and War, 1638). In this portion of the piece, the male voices act as narrator and sympathetic commentator to the cries of the nymph, who has been abandoned in love. All this is set against a four-note descending ground bass. The harmonic clashes that fill this section illustrate the emotional pain of the nymph.
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Ardo e scorprir
The excited, speaking style heard in this example (stile concitato) is one of Monteverdi's many contributions to the development of Baroque style.
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Ohimè, ch'io cado
The clear melody and accompaniment texture of this example shows Monteverdi's break with the traditions of the Renaissance in his later works.
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