background
Luzzasco Luzzaschi (1545-1607) was a prominent composer of the late Renaissance, working at the court of Ferrara in Italy. Luzzaschi was a pupil of Cipriano de Rore and worked closely with Alfonso II d’Este, the Duke of Ferrara. Under the duke’s patronage, he grew into one of the most respected composers of his time. He was known for his madrigals and motets.
The text of the madrigal Quivi sospiri pianti comes from a sonnet by Petrarch, an important source of inspiration for many Renaissance composers.
Quivi sospiri pianti was performed by Cappella Amsterdam led by conductor Daniel Reuss in concert series Kafka.At the request of Cappella Amsterdam, the concert was filmed by production company MILLK in De Vereeniging, Nijmegen. The audio is recorded by A-A-AUDIO.
lyrics
Quivi sospiri pianti et alti guai,
Rissonavan per l’aer senza stelle,
Perch’ io al cominciar ne lagrimai,
Diverse lingue horribili favelle,
Parole di dolore accenti d’ira,
Voci alte et fioche et suon di man con elle.
(facevano un tumolto, il qual s’aggira
sempre in quell’aura sanza tempo tinta,
come la rena quando turbo spira).
performers
Cappella Amsterdam
Daniel Reuss conductor
