Five Madrigals
Douglas Townsend
About this work:
These five madrigals were well-reviewed in The Choral Journal, August 1990: "rhythmic and phonic complexities," "complex and contemporary," "challenging"
but "conquerable;" "it is exciting to imagine the pride of a choir who has mastered the difficulties and pulled off a performance." They have been performed in multiple
Eastern cities by the Metropolitan Opera Madrigal Singers, who also recorded two
of them on an Advent recording in 1975. (See Townsend's Discography.) Each madrigal is a tongue twister, with the fifth madrigal combining the melodies and text of the preceding four madrigals. They are humorous and fun for the singers and audience. Harmony and melody are easy to memorize, with the harmony easy to follow and understand. "Ranges and intervals provide no particular difficulty, so proper attention can be paid to rhythmic and phonic complexities." (Choral Journal 8/90) Published by C.F. Peters in two volumes.
Version: SATB a cappella
Year composed: 1962
Duration: 00:20:00
Ensemble type: Chorus, with or without Solo Voices:Chorus, Unaccompanied
Instrumentation: 1 S, 1 A, 1 T, 1 B
Instrumentation notes: Chor (SATB) or one voice per part for all five madrigals.