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Enríquez de Valderrábano

Fantasía 05 del tercer tono

 

Silva de sirenas (1547), fol. 65

va092

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Source title Esta fantasia sea de tañer algo despacio. Tercero tono. Tercero grado.
Title in contents   Fantasia suelta en el tercero grado.
Text incipit


Music

Category abstract

Genre fantasia

Fantasia type nlm

Mode 3

Voices 4

Length (compases) 139

Vihuela

Tuning A

Courses 6

Final VI/0

Highest I/8

Lowest VI/0

Difficulty difficult

Tempo medium

Song Text

Language

Vocal notation

Commentary

Rubric: “This fantasia should be played somewhat slowly. Mode 3. Third level [of difficulty]. This is a longer through-composed fantasia of quite melancholic spirit. Its tempo indications are contradictory: the tempo sign indicates “ni apriessa ni espacio” but the verbal description ‘algo despacio’ suggests that it go more slowly. Four themes have been defined in this work: Theme 1 appears at the incipit, Theme 2 featuers an ascending 3rd motive usually given M. Sm M rhythm. Themes 3 and 4 are briefly treated imitated motives in compases 40-43, and 46-57 respectively. Regarding mode, the range of S corresponds to mode 3, but the work cadences on the dominant A at end. Many of the cadences are more typical of mode 4 than mode 3. The “active voice” at each point in the work changes from phrase to phrase, thus maintaining the imitative contrapuntal spirit of the fantasia but without systematic thematicism. Contrapuntal complexity is thus instilled. There is a great variety of textures including: active S with 10ths in T; homophony with outer parts in contrary motion (c. 135-139); static voices with a moving active voice, and good cadential variety. Not too much dissonance, but many unusual interrupted cadences. The way in which voices suddenly break off sometimes seems like poor writing, other times it is no more than whimsical. In both cases, the interest of listener is always thrust forward ahead of performance. Pujol (pujol1965, Textos y comentarios, 62) says there is ‘the positive influence of Narváez on the technique and aesthetic’ on this fantasia, shown in its ‘texture, development and elevated spirituality’.