Moro lasso, al mio duolo

[lagin]

Um, I tried Googling this, but my computer was being stubborn about letting me download files.  I need enough information of Carlo Gesualdo's Moro lasso, al mio duolo, to write a short paragraph for an exam that's coming up.  I know it's a madrigal that opens with an a minor chord junxtaposed on a Db Major chord.  It is from book six of his madrigals which was published in 1611.  And uses chromaticism and dissonance uncharacteristic of the age.  But if I could get the English text, or a recording, or better yet, both, that would be super.  Anyone?

[whynot]

I love this piece!  I sang it recently.  I know I wrote in the translation at the time, and probably some historical notes or something.  I'll look for my copy and check back in-- unless someone offers it in the meantime.  Cheers...

[whynot]

Found it.  No history, but I can check that with the smart person I check everything with, if you still want anything else.  I did write in the translation.  I don't know if it changes anything for you, but my copy begins with a C# major chord that falls in almost parallel motion (one minor).  Anyway, nobody read this if you're feeling low... 

***
Let me die to my sorrow
and the one who can give me life
Ahi, the one who slays me
and does not want to give me life
Let me die to my sorrow
and the one who can give me life
Ahi, the one who slays me
and does not want to give me help
O sorrowful fate
The one who can give me life
gives me death
Ahi, gives me death
***

Well!  Hope that helps.  Cheers!

 

[viking]

If I were asked this on a History 4 exam I would say what you have said, and that it is about grief and death and sadness, and put it into fancy words.  Theres not much more you can do, plus it makes it easier to memorize.
SAM

[whynot]

Okay, I asked my smart person (m1469, you can laugh).  Here's what I got off the top of his head, if this is what you're looking for.

"Every style period ends in mannerism:  where a musical technique becomes an end in and
of itself.  Chromaticism,  dissonance, tertial movement; these expressive devices are not at all unusual for the time.  The rules of tonal harmony had not been codified yet (Rameau did this later, among others), so it's misleading to apply tonal rules to modal music.  Moro lasso is the quintessentail example of renaissance mannerism.  This writing is an extension of the chromatic madrigals of Marenzio (middle period) and late Italian madrigals."

I am also supposed to refer you to Joseph Kerman's "Elizabethan Madrigal" for ananlysis of   
Italian madrigal and its influence on the English madrigal (this was his doctoral dissertation but got widely published later).

I had to type fast as this was rattled off to me, but I think I got it all.  Hope this is hlepful!

[m1469]

( he he    )

[lagin]

Thanks guys SO much--especially whynot.  The English translation is perfect.  They ask stuff on the tests like, give an example of word painting in the music, which would be impossible to do if I didn't know the words!  Thanks again.

[lagin]

Um, two more things.  In the second stanza, "life" is changed to "help" correct?  Just want to make sure it's not a typo if I write it out on my exam.  And what or who is "Ahi?"
Thanks

Oh, and do you know, how many voice parts it was originally intended for, and what it's meter is?

[m1469]

 And what or who is "Ahi?"

Well, the direct English translation for "Ahi" is "Ouch" but I read a translation of the text that reads "Alas" (which makes more sense to me).   Also, yes, the second stanza reads "aid"  or "help".

I am going to look into the rest of your questions because I am interested as well (just interested in learning, really).  I will report to you if I gather any information worth posting about.


m1469

[lagin]

Gee, thanks m1469, you're the best!

[m1469]

Okay, here's a little more.  The madrigal was written for 5 voices and its meter is 4/4.   
he he, okay, now I learned something 

m1469


*feeling ridiculously hungry for information, knowledge, understanding*

[lagin]

Sorry m1469, I missed your reply, and didn't see it until right now.  Thank you so much for looking that up!  My test is in 3 days.  I'm going to be so glad when it's over, so I can start studying for the next one .  The next one is all 19th and 20th century so information should be easier to find.  Thanks again!  Where did you find it?  Did you use Google?