Questa fanciull'amor

Ballata
A free dovmloadable recording is available at:
https://soundcloud.com/peter-gore-symes/questa-fanciulla-amor-by-francesco-landini
Ballate were a form of Italian poetry and music in the 13rh
to the 15th centuries. Stanzas usually followed the sequence
AbbaAbbaA. The word ballata derives from the Italian verb
'ballare', to dance. The lute part is editorial and therefore
optional. It may be performed on any harmonic instrument
such as the guitar, harp, harmouium etc. It basically doubles
the two accompanying instruments, which were not specified
by Landini but were typically viols or winds. The quiet lute
assisted by etching the sound of themelodic instruments in
the same way artists sometimes defines edges in black. The
tempo was not specified, but should be slow enough to let the
harmony of the passing notes 'breathe' and be enioyed. Early
audiences must have enjoyed performances - as they listened
their hearts were described as 'bursting from their chests'.
All verses are available in 'Anfhology of Medieval Music'
(edited by Richard H. Hoppin), Norroil, NewYork, 1978.

fanciull' amor fallami pia

Che mto, ferito'l cor nella t?,to zsia.
Questa

Tua rn'ctrfanciulla, si d'amor perco.sso

Che solo in te pensando trozto posa,

This girl, Love, make her kindly toward rn,

For she has wounded my heart in your way.
You, girl, have so stricken my heart with love
That only in thinking of you do I find repose.

Composer: Francesco kndini ( 1325-1397)

(arr. Peter Gore-Symes, 2016)

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