Shakespearean Madrigals, Op. 9
Gary Anderson, Sine Nomine Singers
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The nine Shakespearean Madrigals, Op. 9 are arranged in three sets of three madrigals. Inspired by the homophonic English madrigals of Dowland and Weelks, as sung by Baber's high school chorus, these are easily his most-often-performed works. The bawdy text and jaunty asymmetrical rhythms of No. 1 were problematical in the mid-1950s, but objections to these elements have waned over time. Typical of Shakespeare's emotional range, these madrigals vary in style from wistfully sincere to farcical, from love songs to satires. Their occasional difficulties are easily managed by a good high school chamber choir.
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