Passacaglia della vita (Bisogna morire), renaissance madrigal

[Martin Jonas]

This early 17th century madrigal is usually attributed to Stefano Landi (1587-1639), although this is considered unreliable. My recording on two mandolins, two mandocellos and tenor guitar is based on this transcription:

http://www.comsonante.org/sites/defa...lla-vita_P.pdf

Italian and English lyrics here:

http://www.paularcher.net/translatio...na_morire.html

The song is also known as "Bisogna morire" (We must die) after the recurring end rhyme or as "Homo fugit velut umbra" (Man flees like a shadow). The lyrics are a memento mori, and I have chosen images to go with that theme.

Check out this fabulous rendition of this song by L'Arpeggiata with Marco Beasley:

https://youtu.be/wpAxBZSXW28

1898 Giuseppe Vinaccia mandolin (x2)
Suzuki MC-815 mandocello (x2)
Vintage Viaten tenor guitar



Martin

[Eugene]

Easily my favorite of the songs attributed to Landi (who was also one of the first "great" composers of opera). I'm not always on board with L'Arpeggiata's interpretive decisions, but I do love their recording of this song:

[Martin Jonas]

Thanks, Eugene! Yes, the L'Arpeggiata/Marco Beasley arrangement is very effective. If you haven't done already, also check out their live recording linked in my original post -- the visuals add a lot to the dramatic impact of Beasley's delivery and I prefer it over the studio recording.

Martin