This edition was prepared by Allen Garvin — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Cantai, or piango
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
Preview
0
0
2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SATTB · Pothárn Imre
Preview
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.
Cantai, or piango by Orlando di Lasso — Lyrics
Cantai, or piango, et non men di dolcezza
del pianger prendo che del canto presi,
ch'a la cagion, non a l'effetto, intesi
son i miei sensi vaghi pur d'altezza.
Indi et mansüetudine et durezza
et atti feri, et humili et cortesi,
porto egualmente, né me gravan pesi,
né l'arme mie punta di sdegni spezza.
Read full lyrics
About Cantai, or piango
Orlando di Lasso's Italian madrigal Cantai, or piango, is written for SATTB voices. This secular part-song explores the paradox of finding sweetness in sorrow. The text describes how the singer's senses are focused on the cause of their feelings, rather than the feelings themselves. Whether experiencing tenderness or harshness, the speaker remains content, finding that even pain has a sweet root. Lasso masterfully captures the text's emotional complexity, weaving together contrasting sentiments into a rich and expressive whole. This work showcases the composer's profound ability to imbue Renaissance polyphony with deeply personal and nuanced expression.
