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• Weelkes, Thomas: 2 Balletts (1598)

Weelkes, Thomas: 2 Balletts (1598)

for 5 voices or instruments.

Thomas Weelkes´ Balletts and Madrigals to five voyces, with one to 6 voyces, newly published, (London, 1598) contains some of the finest light music in the English madrigal repertoire. Compared to Thomas Morley´s famous balletts, which follow the Italian model very closely, Weelkes´ are more varied and expansive, and sometimes very inventive. The collection also contains a piece which should win a competition for the best title in the repertoire (“On the plains, fairy trains”).
Hark, all ye lovely saints is typical of Weelkes in the way he introduces an expressive passage with suspensions before the final Fa la la section. To shorten winter´s sadness has a remarkably busy bass part, and pretty actile altus and tenor parts.
The fact that instruments are not mentioned on Weelkes´ title page does not mean that these pieces are suitable only for a cappella singing. Balletts are particularly suitable for a mixture of voices and suitable instruments: the high level of musical invention also makes this music ideal for instrumental performance.