Four Madrigals
(1953) for unaccompanied chorus

World Premier:  St. Andrew's, Scottland, March 20, 1953
Hans Oppenheim and the Saltire Singers

Publisher:  Chester Music Ltd

Composer Note:

These four madrigals, settings of poems by the 16th century poet Sir Thomas Wyatt, are one of the composer's very earliest works. They were written in Paris in 1953 while the composer was a student of Nadia Boulanger.

They were originally composed for the Saltire Singers who first performed them. Since then they have been widely performed by many choruses (including the Kings Singers) who have included them in their repertoire.

The poems describe a lover's progress. At first he is miserably trapped "in love's snare" but at last he frees himself from this hopeless love: "Hate whom ye list, for I care not".

1. With serving still this have I won For my goodwill to be undone. And for redresse of all my pain Disdaynefulness I have again. And for reward of all my smart Lo! Thus unheard I must depart. Wherefore all ye that after shall By fortune be, as I am, thrall. Example take what I have won Thus for her sake to be undone.                          2. Tanglid I was in love’s snare, Opprest with pain Torment with care. Of Grefe right sure, Of joy full bare. Clene in despair By crueltie But Ha! Ha! Ha! Full well is me For I am now at Libertye. The woeful days So full of pain, The verye night, All spent in vain. The labour lost For so small gain To wryt them all It will not be. But Ha! Ha! Ha! Full well is me For now I am at Libertye.                          3. At most mischief I suffer grief For of relief since I have none, My lute and I continually Shall us apply to sigh and mone. Naught may prevail to weep or wail. Pitie doth fail in you alas! Complaint or none, It is all one as in this case. For crueltie Hath soverynte Within your heart Which maketh bare All my wellfare Nor do you care how sore I smart. Thus in mischief I suffer grief For of relief since I have none My lute and I continually Shall us apply to sight and mone.                          4. Hate whom ye list, for I care not; Love whom ye list and spare not; Do what ye list and drede not: Think what ye list, I fere not. For as for me, I am not But even as one that reckes not, Whether ye hate or hate not For in your love I dote not Love whom ye list and spare not Therewith I am content. Hate whom ye list and spare not For I am indifferent, Do what ye list and drede not After your own fantasy Think what ye list and fere not For all is one to me, For, as for me, I am not Wavering as the wind But even as one that reckes not Which way you turn your mind For in your love I doubt not But as one that reckes not Whether you hate or hate not Is least charge of my thought Wherefore I pray you forget not But that I am well content For I’m indifferent Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503-1552)

Recording:

Four Madrigals
Florilegium Chior
JoAnn Rice, conductor
Leonarda LE328

Top of Page   |   Home   |   Compositions   |   Chester Novello   |   G. Schirmer

Webmaster