Contrapunto Bestiale alle Mente

Adriano Banchieri (1568 -1634)

 

 

This is an odd little madrigal with no translation. All voice parts make animal noises while the bass sings a cantus firmus in a language that is familiar and, at the same time, completely unidentifiable and untranslatable. And that is what happens when, as the title translates, the Animals Improvise Counterpoint.

 

 

This piece was performed on Octarium Salutes Nature, April 2006.