George Kirbye (c. 1565 – 1634) was an English composer of the late Tudor period and early Jacobean era. He was one of the members of the English Madrigal School, but also composed sacred music.

Little is known of the details of his life. He probably made the acquaintance of John Wilbye, a much more famous madrigalist, who lived and worked only a few miles away, and whose style he sometimes approaches.

Kirbye's most significant musical contributions were the psalm settings he wrote for East's psalter in 1592, the madrigals he wrote for the Triumphs of Oriana (1601), the famous collection dedicated to Elizabeth I, and an independent set of madrigals published in 1597. This piece, one of six madrigals for six voices, shows careful attention to the text setting.

The lyrics are:

I love, alas, yet am I not beloved;

My suits are all rejected,

And all my looks suspected.

Experience now too late hath proved,

That 'twas in vain that erst I loved.

This madrigal is written in an imitative style and as the different voices enter, the accompanying voices should get somewhat softer so all entrances can be easily heard. This is notated using dynamics and decrescendos at the beginning of the piece; however, the concept applies to all imitative entrances. The ranges are not extreme and this would be a good choice for young players as well as the experienced flute choir.

Composer: Anne McGinty
Instrumentation: 5 C Flutes & Alto Flute
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 2:00 / 15 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: N/A