This edition was prepared by Pothárn Imre — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
I' piansi, or canto
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SATTB · Willem Verkaik
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I' piansi, or canto by Philippe de Monte — Lyrics
I' piansi, or canto, ché 'l celeste lume
quel vivo sole alli occhi miei non cela,
nel qual honesto Amor chiaro revela
sua dolce forza et suo santo costume;
onde e' suol trar di lagrime tal fiume,
per accorciar del mio viver la tela,
che non pur ponte o guado o remi o vela,
ma scampar non potienmi ale né piume.
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About I' piansi, or canto
Philippe de Monte, a master of Renaissance polyphony, composed this exquisite secular Italian madrigal for SATTB voices. The text explores a profound emotional journey, moving from tears to song. The poet describes how the 'celestial light' of a loved one, a 'living sun,' reveals the honest nature of love. Yet, this revelation paradoxically brings forth a flood of tears, threatening to cut short the poet's life. The intensity of this sorrow is so great that even flight seems impossible. Ultimately, compassion arrives, not with laurel or palm, but with the tranquil olive branch, bringing clear skies and drying the tears, allowing life to continue.
