Gagliano: Madrigals, Part 3

Il terzo libro de madrigali a cinque voci, the third of six madrigal books by the Florentine composer Marco da Gagliano (1582–1643), was originally published in Venice in 1605. It is distinguished not only for the excellence of its music, but also for its use of texts by some of Italy’s most celebrated poets. It includes poems by Marino, Tasso, Rinuccini, Chiabrera, Celiano, several less well known authors, and one by Guarini. In addition to its fourteen madrigals by Gagliano, the book contains works by three guest composers: Luca Bati (his teacher), Giovanni Del Turco (Gagliano’s student), and Lorenzo Del Turco (another student and cousin to Giovanni Del Turco). Gagliano’s madrigals in the Terzo libro, like those of his first and second books, set words syllabically, are often homophonic, and are filled with expressive and declamatory motives. They embody many of the musical ideals of the Florentine camerata, especially that of the clear projection of text as an essential, even though manifested in an a cappella ensemble. Gagliano’s work was admired throughout Europe during his lifetime, and especially so in Florence, where he flourished as the city’s leading composer for more than forty years. Today his madrigals can be recognized as personal and brilliant utterances made by one of the last great composers of the genre in Italy.

1. Sdegno la fiamma estinse (Orsina Cavaletta)

2. Care lagrime mie (Livio Celiano)

3. Mentre ch’a l’aureo crine (Giambattista Marino)

4. Come il ferir sia poco (Giambattista Marino)

5. Se del mio lagrimare (Livio Celiano)

6. Voi sete bella (Torquato Tasso)

7. Vaghi rai, mercede, aita (Ottavio Rinuccini)

8. Benché l’ombre e gl’orrori

9. Vaga su spina ascosa (Gabriello Chiabrera)

10. Ridete pur, ridete (Gasparo Murtola)

11. Ahi dolorosa vita (Giovanni Villifranchi)

12. Con la candida man (Alessandro Striggio)

13. Io pur sospiro e piango

14. Mentre mia stella mira (Livio Celiano)

15. Odio me stesso, Luca Bati

16. Altro non è ’l mio amore (Giovanni Battista Guarini), Giovanni Del Turco

17. Già mi parevi, o donna, Lorenzo Del Turco

18. Mentre con mill’amori, Luca Bati