Works
Nanino's output as a composer was not large, but it was distinguished, and his music—especially his madrigals—were extremely popular at the time. Almost no collections of madrigals were published in Rome which did not include at least one contribution by Nanino, often in the most prominent position in the book—even ahead of Palestrina. Stylistically his madrigals are extremely varied. While not as comprehensive as Marenzio, who after all wrote more than 500 madrigals, Nanino's examples of the genre vary from the highly serious, angular and contrapuntal, to the lightest canzonette; in expressive intensity he is sometimes compared to Marenzio.
In addition to his famous madrigals, he wrote motets, settings of the Lamentations, canons, and sacred songs. As of 1980, no complete edition of his works had been prepared, and much of his music remained in manuscript.
Read more about this topic: Giovanni Maria Nanino
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