A che fai che'l mio sole

Giovanni de Macque’s A che fai che’l mio sole is a rich five-voice madrigal for SATTB. The interplay between the voices creates a detailed texture, drawing the listener into the text. The composer uses the five parts to convey the lament of the singer, who pleads with the sun not to turn its gaze away. The lyrics express a passionate questioning of the sun’s actions, suggesting possible envy of the singer’s beloved, who is described as more radiant and ardent than the sun itself. The piece concludes with a resignation to love’s will, asking the sun to let go of the singer’s beloved sun. This secular Italian part-music from the Renaissance is a fine example of the genre’s expressive capabilities.