Talk:Il bianco e dolce cigno (Jacques Arcadelt)

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Voicing

This piece is usually described and published as being for SATB. Do you think a reasonable case could be made for it being intended for ATTB, with all male voices? Consider how low the written alto line is, how it occupies the same range as the tenor, and how the two lines cross. Also consider the relatively low range of the top line, perfectly comfortable for a counter-tenor but rather dull for a soprano. Finally, consider the lyrical content, and how "ed io piangendo" refers to the male experience of la petite mort (leaving aside the claims to the contrary of certain websites). Is there any historical evidence for how this was originally performed? --Johann 00:34, 24 July 2009 (UTC)

I have always thought that this piece (and others) should have alternative voicings. I would suggest adding AATB and ATTB, but keeping the SATB designation as well. Many of the sacred Renaissance pieces were written for men, but in modern times we still presume soprano and alto parts into them, and it would be confusing for people seeking pieces if they didn't have that type of expected designation. -- Vaarky 05:34, 25 July 2009 (UTC)