This edition was prepared by Maia McCormick — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
As Vesta was from Latmos Hill Descending
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
Preview
0
0
5 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
Subscribed as
Want Sunday picks sent to another address too?
Free weekly email
Your choir should not be left out in what's trending
Sunday mass selections, psalms, and trending songs in your area — straight to your inbox.
As Vesta was from Latmos Hill Descending by Thomas Weelkes — Lyrics
As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending,
She spied a maiden Queen the same ascending,
Attended on by all the shepherds' swain,
To whom Diana's darlings came running down amain,
First two by two, then three by three together,
Leaving their goddess all alone hasted thither;
Read full lyrics
About As Vesta was from Latmos Hill Descending
Thomas Weelkes’s As Vesta was from Latmos Hill Descending is a masterful example of the English madrigal, written for SSATTB voices. The music vividly illustrates the text, depicting a pastoral scene with mythological figures. The composer employs a variety of textures and imitative passages to bring the story to life. Notice how the imitation, often moving in pairs or groups of three, mirrors the text’s description of shepherds and nymphs descending. The piece builds to a joyful climax, celebrating the Queen Oriana with a jubilant exultation that showcases the full sonority of the choir.
