This edition was prepared by Gerhard Weydt — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Ch'io scriva di costei
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
Preview
0
0
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.
Ch'io scriva di costei by Philippe de Monte — Lyrics
Ch‘io scriva di costei, ben m‘hai tu detto
Più volte Amor, ma ciò, lasso, che vale?
Non ho, né spero aver da salir ale,
Terreno incarco a sì celeste obietto.
Ella ti scorgerà, ch’ogni imperfetto
Desta a virtute, e di stil fosco, e frale
Potrà per gratia far chiaro immortale,
Dandogli forma da sì bel suggetto.
Read full lyrics
About Ch'io scriva di costei
Philippe de Monte's Ch'io scriva di costei is a secular Italian madrigal for double choir (SSAATT, SSAATB). The text explores the poet's struggle to capture the essence of his beloved in words. He addresses Love, lamenting his inadequacy to describe such a celestial being with his earthly limitations. He questions whether his efforts are worthy, but ultimately finds solace in the idea that his beloved's virtue can elevate his imperfect words and that his true feelings are already inscribed in his heart and will be revealed in her eyes. This intricate polyphonic setting, typical of the late Renaissance, would suit a choir looking for rich, complex textures and expressive harmonic language from the period.
