Sample: 2 pagina's

Con qué la lavaré

From the "Cancionero de Uppsala

G. Pedaggio

SATB

The diminution is a phenomenon pertaining in particular to the 16th century and it illustrates the growing importance of the virtuosity of the instrumentalist. Various revolutionary treatises describe, in great detail, how the virtuosic player should diminish the long notes of the original composition into rapid passages of great rhythmic and melodic variation and complexity.

Giovanni Pedaggio chose two exquisite vocal masterworks as the basis for his diminutions. "Con qué la lavaré" was published in the "Cancionero de Uppsala" in a setting for four voices as well as in a lute arrangement by Luis de Narvaez. It is striking to see that all four voices were diminished simultaneously. The usual technique, as we see, for example, in the diminution of Josquins "Mille Regretz", was to diminish only the soprano voice. Peddagio shows here how it is possible to maintain the deep expression of the original melody while using highly virtuosic and rhapsodic passages. It is a real challenge for the "virtuoso" of today: fast fingers are a necessity as well as an expressive use of articulation and outstanding breath control!

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