Barbara Strozzi
1.14

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Il contrasto de' cinque sensi

Quintet originally for two Sopranos, Alto, Tenor, and Bass with basso continuo.
Original Language: Italian

Chi di noi vaglia più,
E di gioia maggior ministro sia,
Fiera lite ognor fu.
Io miro, io sento, io gusto, io fiuto, io tocco,
E nella donna mia
Tal'hor, anco mercé d’un picciol bacio,
Tutto trabocco.
Tocca pur quanto sai,
Che nel sol tocco Amore
Il verace gioir non pose mai.
Ne sia giudice il cor mesto e languente;
"Ohimè" senti ch’il cor dentro ci dice,
Ch’un sol bacio, ch’è niente, il fa felice.

Poet:
Giulio Strozzi
English

The Quarrel of the Five Senses

Who among us is most worthy,
and is the greatest source of joy,
has always been a fierce argument.
I see; I hear; I taste; I smell; I touch;
and in my lady sometimes,
thanks to just one little kiss,
everything in me overflows.
Touch, then, all you want,
for with touch alone Love
never attains true delight.
May the sad and languishing heart be the judge;
let the heart within say "alas," and then just one kiss, which counts for nothing, makes one happy.

Translated by:

Richard Kolb

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Cover of Contrasto de Cinque Sensi

Contrasto de Cinque Sensi

Published by Cor Donato Editions in historically correct modern transcription, including critical introductory notes on the work, editorial procedures, original texts with new English translations, and other contextual information about the piece.

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Find recordings...

  • Barbara Strozzi: Il Primo de Madrigali

    Orlando di Lasso Ensemble

    Thorofon Records (2000) [Audio CD, Digital / MP3]

    • Disc #2 / Track #2 - Il contrasto de' cinque Sensi (SSATB, lute, vlg, hps, org) [2:32]
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  • Primo Libro de' Madrigali

    La Venexiana

    Cantus (2000) [Audio CD, Digital / MP3]

    • Il contrasto de' cinque sensi - Chi di noi vaglia più, Op 1 (SSATB, bc) [2:37]
  • The Excellence of Women

    Casulana and Strozzi

    Fieri Consort

    Fieri Records (2024) [Audio CD, Digital / MP3]

    • Track #7 - Il contrasto de' cinque sensi (5 voices, bc) [2:52]
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