The musical world of Guillaume de Machaut
Guillaume de Machaut was by far the most important poet and composer from medieval France from the 14th century. Machaut was a self-confident artist whose music and poetry revolved around Amour or courtly love in the tradition of the trouvères or northern French troubadours.
They were mostly rich burghers at a time when the towns were expanding. In their chansons, they copied the courtly love culture from the south. However, contrary to the southern French troubadours, they used lots of elements from folk music and accompanied themselves on simple instruments
Four top musicians from La Caccia interpret Machaul’s longing for love, joy and hope with a great deal of enthusiasm and sense of style. Titles such as Douce dame jolie, Dame, ne regardes pas, J’ay grant Espoir and Riche d’amours stir the imagination!
Until he was 40, Machaut worked as secretary to King John of Bohemia, in whose company he crossed Europe. Afterwards, he was employed at Reims cathedral for over 35 years where he found the opportunity and resources to compose an impressive literary and musical oeuvre. Reims cathedral is of great historical importance, since it was here that the French kings were crowned.
In addition to numerous motets, he was also the first composer whom we know to have composed a complete mass, the famous Messe de Nostre Dame.
More info
with Jan Van Elsacker (tenor), Patrick Denecker (recorder/dulcian), Didier François (viola da Siena) en Jan Van Outryve (lute) photo La Caccia
