Ferrabosco Fantasias - Stylistic Observations
Bruce Bellingham
Introduction
Stylistic Elements
Suggested Readings
Key to Analyses
The author

Contact the author
Fantasias by Musica Britannica number
112
213
314
415
516
617
7
18
819
920
1021
1122
Fantasias by Meyer number
113
214
315
416
517
618
7
19
820
921
1022
1123
12
Fantasia 18 (Meyer no. 19)
NB: no "key" signature—"plays" with harmonic areas: First half ends on g; second half of piece almost entirely with Bb and Eb. Final F cadence comes as surprise, in a sudden turn; ficta practices exploited to take advantage of a rich imitative texture (virtually monothematic in first half) expanded from conventional diatonic motion to more distant harmonic areas.

View the complete analysis here *.

Listen to examples† of the motives:
Motive 1a: mp3 wav Real Audio wma
Motive 1b: mp3 wav Real Audio wma
Motives 2a,2b: mp3 wav Real Audio wma


* You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view the analysis. In addition, you will need JavaScript and popups enabled for this link to function. If you prefer, you can click here to see the analysis in this browser window.

†Sound clips are from "Alfonso Ferrabosco II: Four-Part Fantasias". CD Recording, Viola da Gamba Society -- New England, 25th Anniversary Project, Sarah Mead, Producer (2002). Reproduced by permission.