9/27/2012

Guillaume de Machaut and Secular French Song

Objectives

• rise of the (Machaut) • (fixed forms)—learn them! • aab

Guillaume de Machaut (1300‐1377) • preserved own works • courted lovers: W/T 20

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A letter from Guillaume de Machaut W/T 20

more from W/T 20

“Dame, mon couer” from Remède de Fortune (ca. 1342-49)

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career path for

• educated in the Church • college education • get a good day job – i.e., find a patron

formes fixes I

• –Abba Abba Abba –text: and nature Ex. Machaut, Foy porter, NAWM 26

formes fixes II

• –aabC aabC aabC –text: serious topics, philosophical, moral, serious love Ex. Machaut, Donnez, signeurs

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Ballade: Donnez signeur (verse 1) aGive my lords, give generously, keep nothing back but your honor. aIf you have more honor than wealth both great and small will be on your side; beach will say “there goes a worthy lord.” C[refrain] Furthermore, a spent estate is is far better than a lost one.

formes fixes III

• – ABaAabAB –texts: love –learn by vices!!! Ex. Machaut, Rose, liz, printemps, verdure, NAWM 27 –harmonic contrasts, melismas,

Drinking rondeau, from J. Yudkin, in Medieval Europe, p. 497. • A Je I • B Bois Drink. • a Se If • A Je I • a Ne Don’t • b Vois See (her) • A Je I • B Bois Drink

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Solage, “The Smoking Rondeau” ASmoky fumes through smoke, Bsmoky speculation. aWhen another smokes his thoughts, Asmoky fumes through smoke. aFor smoking certainly agrees with him bas long as he gets what he wants. ASmoky fumes through smoke Bsmoky speculation.

aab in all forms!

• rondeau: ABaAabAB – take away the refrain = aab • ballade: aabC • virelei: Abba – take away the refrain: bba = aab

Ars subtilior

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Objectives

• [quiz on formes fixes on Wednesday] – ‐instructions are on web page • – who appreciated it and why • Reinforce the formes fixes

Ars subtilior = “subtle arts”

• Avignon • notation • B. Cordie, Belle, bonne, sage

Phillipus de Caserta, En rimirant vo douce pourtraiture, NAWM 28 • Avignon • ballade – (aabC) • treble‐dominated • 1st/2nd ending • double leading tone

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Caserta quoting Machaut

Machaut, ballade: Plourez dames, ploures voster servant (verse 1) Plourez, dames, plourez vostre servant, Qui ay toudis ay mis mon cuer et m'entente, Corps et desirs et penser en servant L'onneur de vous que Diex gart et augmente. Vestez vous de noir pour my, Car j'ay cuer teint et viaire pali, Et si me voy de mort en aventure, [refrain] Se Dieus et vous ne me prenez en cure.

Caserta quoting Machaut

Machaut, ballade: De triste cuer, verse 1

De triste cuer faire joyeusement, Il m'est avis que c'est chose contraire; Mais cils qui fait de joieus sentement, Je di qu'il doit plus joieusement faire. Et pour ce sont mi de rude affaire, Qu'il sont tuit fait d'un cuer plus noir que meure, Triste, dolent, qui larmes de sanc pleure.

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Johannes Ciconia (1370‐1412)

• Oltremontani • O felix templum jubila

role of the composer

• write for specific occasions • keep patrons happy – public relations

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