This edition was prepared by Allen Garvin — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Che fai alma? che pensi? avrem mai pace?
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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Che fai alma? che pensi? avrem mai pace? by Adrian Willaert — Lyrics
Che fai alma? che pensi? avrem mai pace?
avrem mai tregua? od avrem guerra eterna?Che fia di noi, non so; ma, in quel ch’io scerna,
a’ suoi begli occhi il mal nostro non piace.Che pro, se con quelli occhi ella ne face
di state un ghiaccio, un foco quando iverna?Ella non, ma colui che gli governa.
Questo ch’è a noi, s’ella s’el vede, et tace?
Talor tace la lingua, e ’l cor si lagna
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About Che fai alma? che pensi? avrem mai pace?
Adrian Willaert's Che fai alma? che pensi? avrem mai pace? is a striking example of secular Italian madrigal writing for SSAATBB voices. The music opens with a contrapuntal texture, voices weaving in and out, creating a sense of restless questioning. The text expresses profound inner turmoil, a soul grappling with perpetual conflict, asking if peace or eternal war awaits. It reflects on the beloved's gaze, which can bring both icy coldness and burning heat, and questions why such suffering is endured if the beloved is aware and silent. The composer skillfully portrays the contrast between outward composure and inner lament, capturing the despair of a heart that cannot find solace or believe in hope.
