Short bio Alfonso Ferrabosco the elder
Birthday:
1543
Died:
1588 in Bologna, Italy
Genre:
Classical
Period:
Renaissance
Full biography Alfonso Ferrabosco the elder
Alfonso Ferrabosco the Elder (1543-1588) was an Italian composer born into a prominent musical family in Bologna. His father, Domenico Ferrabosco, was also a renowned composer. Alfonso spent most of his life living and working in Rome, where he composed music for the Catholic church.
Ferrabosco is mostly known for his work in the genre of madrigals, which were hugely popular in Italy during the Renaissance period. He is considered to be the solitary Italian madrigalist working in England before 1588. Ferrabosco's compositions were highly regarded in both Italy and England, and his works were often published and reprinted during his lifetime and beyond.
Ferrabosco's music was marked by its intricate polyphony, a style that was typical of the Renaissance period. His works were often characterized by complex rhythms, interweaving melodic lines, and word painting, where the music mirrored or enhanced the text of the lyrics.
In addition to his work as a composer, Ferrabosco was also a lutenist, and he is thought to have introduced the instrument to the English court. He also served as a mentor to his son, Alfonso Ferrabosco the Younger, who went on to become a successful composer in his own right.
Overall, Alfonso Ferrabosco the Elder was a significant figure in the world of Renaissance music, known for his intricate madrigals and his position as a pioneer of the lute in England.
Compositions featuring Alfonso Ferrabosco the elder
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Susanne un jour (Susanna fair), chanson for 5 voices (after Lassus) | 3:31 min | Choral | 1588 |
| 2 | Solo e pensoso, madrigal for 5 voices (Book 2) | 4:06 min | Choral | 1587 |
| 3 | Pavan | 3:45 min | Chamber Music | 15?? |
| 4 | Penelope ever was praised | 2:03 min | Choral | - |
| 5 | Incipit Lamentatio Jeremiae Prophetae I ("... Aleph: Quodmodo sedet sola") | 9:11 min | Choral | - |
| 6 | Incipit Lamentatio Jeremiae Prophetae II ("... Zain: Vocavi amicos meos") | 11:02 min | Choral | - |
| 7 | Inclina, Domine | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - | |
| 8 | Interdette speranze | 3:25 min | Choral | - |
| 9 | Judica me, Domine, motet for 5 voices | 7:08 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 10 | Miserere, for lute | 4:55 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 11 | Pavan for lute No. 6 (published in "A Varietie of Lute-Lessons") | 3:44 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 12 | Pavan à 5, for 5 viols | 2:05 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 13 | Pavane for consort in C major (Allemande à 5) | 3:18 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 14 | Peccantem me quotidie, motet for 5 voices, C. 52 | 3:49 min | Choral | - |
| 15 | In Nomine, for 5 viols No. 3 [No. 26], C. 223 | 2:28 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 16 | Preludium for lute | 0:41 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 17 | Psalm 103. Benedic anima mea, for 3 to 6 voices, C. 8-18 | 32:36 min | Choral | - |
| 18 | Quel sempre acerbo, madrigal for 6 voices, C. 177 | 4:14 min | Choral | - |
| 19 | Se lungi dal mio sol, motet | 5:46 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 20 | Si sei bassi | 3:42 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 21 | Spanish Pavan | 3:58 min | Orchestral | - |
| 22 | Sur la Rousée (Fantasia a6) | 2:51 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 23 | The Expiration, song | 2:34 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 24 | Ultimi miei sospiri (after Verdelot), for lute | 7:35 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 25 | Fantasia for lute No. 4, C. 201 | 3:32 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 26 | Allmane, for lute | 0:39 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 27 | Auprès de vous, chanson for 5 voices, C. 81 | 2:55 min | Choral | - |
| 28 | Bruna sei tu, ma bella, madrigal for 5 voices, C. 122 | 2:48 min | Choral | - |
| 29 | Come dal ciel, madrigal for 5 voices | 2:22 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 30 | Da pacem Domine | 3:59 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 31 | Decantabat populus Israel, motet for 6 voices | 3:04 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 32 | Dolci ire, madrigal for 5 voices, C. 140 | 7:00 min | Choral | - |
| 33 | Domine, non secundum peccata nostra, motet for 6 voices, C. 32 | 4:42 min | Choral | - |
| 34 | Exaudi, Deus, orationem meam, motet | 6:44 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 35 | Fantasia a 4, for viols, C. 219 | 3:36 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 36 | Fantasia for lute | 3:15 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 37 | A Canzonetta | 1:34 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 38 | Fantasia for lute No. 5 (published in "A Varietie of Lute-Lessons") | 3:35 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 39 | Fantasia with G final, for keyboard | 2:59 min | Keyboard | - |
| 40 | Fuerunt mihi lachrime, for 4 voices | 2:46 min | Choral | - |
| 41 | Galliard for lute | 2:01 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 42 | Galliard for lute No. 11, C. 208 | 1:59 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 43 | Hexachord Fantasia, Ut re mi, for 3 viols | 2:07 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 44 | In Monte Oliveti, motet for 6 voices | 4:04 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 45 | In Nomine a 5 | 2:25 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 46 | In Nomine, for 5 viols No. 1 [No. 24], C. 221 | 2:34 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 47 | In Nomine, for 5 viols No. 2 [No. 25], C. 222 | 2:17 min | Chamber Music | - |
Albums featuring Alfonso Ferrabosco the elder
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Alfonso Ferrabosco – Richard Boothby, Asako Morikawa – Music To Hear - Music For Lyra Viol From 1609(CD, ) | 2022 | Signum Classics |
| 2 |  |
Alfonso Ferrabosco The Younger, Hathor Consort, Romina Lischka – The Art Of Fantasy(CD, Album) | 2018 | Ramée |
| 3 |  |
Alfonso Ferrabosco - Monique Zanetti, Jonathan Dunford, Sylvia Abramowicz, Thomas Dunford – Ayres & Lessons For The Lyra Viol(CD, ) | 2014 | Arion |
| 4 |  |
Alfonso Ferrabosco, William Byrd - James Bowman (2), Suzan Hamilton, Ricercar Consort, Philippe Pierlot (2) – Consort Music(2×CD, Compilation) | 2007 | Ricercar |
| 5 |  |
Alfonso Ferrabosco - Huelgas-Ensemble, Paul Van Nevel – Psaume 103 • Motets & Madrigaux(CD, ) | 2005 | Harmonia Mundi |
| 6 |  |
Alfonso Ferrabosco, Alfonso Ferrabosco (2) : Rose Consort Of Viols – Consort Music(CD, Album) | 2003 | cpo |
| 7 |  |
Alfonso Ferrabosco The Younger, Hespèrion XXI, Jordi Savall – Consort Music To The Viols In 4, 5 & 6 Parts(CD, ) | 2003 | Alia Vox |
| 8 |  |
Alfonso Ferrabosco, Ricercar Consort, Philippe Pierlot (2), Susan Hamilton (2) – Consort Music & Consort Songs(CD, Album) | 2000 | Ricercar |
| 9 |  |
Les Voix Humaines, Suzie LeBlanc, Susie Napper, Margaret Little, Giovanni Coprario, Tobias Hume, John Jenkins (5), Alfonso Ferrabosco, Christopher Simpson (2) – The Spirit Of Musicke / Viola and Voice(CD, Stereo) | 1998 | Atma Classique |
| 10 |  |
Johnson · Ferrabosco · Webster · Nau · Lawes · Notari / The Parley Of Instruments Renaissance Violin Band, Peter Holman – A High-Priz'd Noise (Violin Music For Charles I)(CD, Album) | 1996 | Hyperion |
| 11 |  |
Brade, Byrd, Holborne, Simpson, East, Ferrabosco And Philips - Musica Dolce – Clas Pehrsson – English Consort Music | 1986 | BIS |
| 12 |  |
Purcell / Ward / Ferrabosco II / Bevin – English Consort Music Of XVII Century(LP, Album) | 1983 | Мелодия |
| 13 |  |
Alfonso Ferrabosco, William Corkine, Anonyme, Jordi Savall – Lessons For The Lyra-Violl | 1980 | Astrée |
| 14 |  |
W. Lawes • H. Lawes • A. Ferrabosco II • N. Laniere • Deering • Tomkins, Tessier • Morley • Holborne • Dowland • Conversi – Music Of The Court Homes And Cities Of England, Volume 3: Composers Of Whitehall Palace & Wilton House(LP, Album, Club Edition | 1969 | The Record Society |
| 15 |  |
W. Byrd • R. Johnson • Farnaby • Gibbons • Ferrabosco II • Campion • Coperario – Music Of The Court Homes & Cities Of England, Volume 4: Composers Of Greenwich Palace And Ingatestone Hall(LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo) | 1969 | The Record Society |
| 16 |  |
Jérome Bassano / Giovanni Coperario / Richard Dering / Alfonso Ferrabosco II / Nicholas Guy / James Harding (3) / Anthony Holborne / Robert Johnson (9) / Thomas Leetherland / Thomas Lupo / Thomas Simpson - Maurice André, Jean Pirot, Maurice Suzan, Henri A | 1962 | L'Oiseau-Lyre |
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