The Oxford Book of Italian Madrigals (CHANT)

During the eighty years from approx. 1535 many thousands of Italian madrigals were composed. Here are 55 for mixed voices covering the whole range of types, and the whole period. All have been chosen for their musical value - they are small masterpieces. The Italian madrigal was the first great flowering of secular part-music in Europe. during the eighty years from c.1535 many thousands were composed, including some of the most beautiful and expressive music ever written.