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Early Music Theory Question
It was recently brought to my attention by a friend of mine that in Lasso's Lamentations, he uses a turn VERY frequently. It sounds to me like a suspension ornamented by a lower neighbor tone. It sounds as Sol in the bass and Do-Ti-La-Ti in the upper voice...and then the 'chord' resolves to tonic. Here's a youtube recording of the piece so you can listen for what I'm talking about if I am not being descriptive enough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdWkMq4xvtU. It seems this turn is used very frequently in major cadences, particularly in picardy thirds. What I am curious about is whether this Do-Ti-La-Ti ornament has a specific name or not. And then, to a FAR lesser extent, anyone have any hypotheses on why Lasso used this turn so much in this piece? I thought maybe (just maybe) he was making cliches commenting on their over use? Idk haha, what I'm really interested in is if there is a name for this melodic movement, but by all means speculate away! Thanks very much!
Matt
Tags: Lasso, Lassus, Neighbor, Orlando, Ornament, Polyphony, Renaissance, Roland, Suspension, Turn, More…
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Matt Walsh on -
Of course at major cadences and picardy thirds it would be Do in the bass and Fa-Mi-Re-Mi in the upper. Just realized that now lol.
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Permalink Reply by Matt Walsh on
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bump
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Permalink Reply by Tombo Rombo on -
Hey Matt,
I'd say you nailed it when you called it a turn. And you really hit the nail on the head when you said the figure consists of a suspension followed by a lower neighbor. In other words: I have no clue what it's called, but I figured you at least deserve some kind of reply. Cheers!
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Permalink Reply by Gordon Francis Blaney Jr. on -
Nothing to be said here.
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