#machault

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A stunningly illuminated manuscript of Guillaume de Machaut’s Prologue. The miniatures were provided by Master of the Bible Jean de Sy. This dates from the late 14th century, within de Machaut’s lifetime. Students of de Machaut will surely include art historians, but I would also draw attention to de Machaut’s flowing poetic verse, beautifully written in a Gothic script. 

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Guillaume de Machaut’s Dame, ne regardes pas. I remember being amazed by the harmonies in this piece, which I think I first learned on the recorder. 

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Rose, Lis, Printemps, Verdure - Guillaume de Machaut

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Guillaume de Machaut’s extraordinary Latin Motet: Felix Virgo/Inviolata Genitrix/Ad te suspiramus. The dissonances here are quite inventive. This was one of the pieces that solidified my fascination for Machaut’s work. 

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Time to listen to more Guillaume de Machaut, who made me interested in Old French. This is his ballade, De Fortune Me Doi Plaindre Et Loer. Machaut, 1300- c.1377 was possibly the last great poet-composer of his age, bridging the gap between the troubadour tradition of the previous century, and the new road to polyphony. Machaut’s work often features isorhythm, in which different voices sing independent rhythms, and features dissonances that influenced composers as late as the 20th century. 

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Street scene in Machault, Ardennes region of France

French vintage postcard

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A collection of isorhythmic motets by Guillaume de Machaut. 

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Guillaume de Machaut: Kyrie, from his Messe de Nostre Dame. As I have said before, which may become boring, Machaut’s mass stands out from earlier fragments for many reasons. Of these, I think the fusion of isorhythm with a prediction of polyphonic themes coming in the next century are the most striking. I learned how to sing the second part of this Kyrie about 6-7 years ago, and still enjoy following the lines of melody that Machaut used. I recommend listening to the entire mass, often supplemented with Gregorian Chant.