Es was einmal ein stolzer Knab

Ivo de Vento's Es war einmal ein stolzer Knab is a secular German Lied from the Renaissance period, written for three-part women's voices (SSA). The text tells the story of a proud young man who decides to give up his pursuit of a sweetheart. He laments that wooing is too difficult and expensive, leaving him with an empty purse. The music reflects the lighthearted and somewhat humorous nature of the poem, with clear melodic lines and a syllabic setting of the words. This piece would be an excellent addition to a concert program of German Renaissance part-music.