#isorhythme

Rose, Lis, Printemps, Verdure - Guillaume de Machaut

My favourite work by medieval composer, Guillaume de Machaut: his Messe de Nostre Dame (now spelt Notre Dame), dating from at least the 1340′s. Since many composers of de Machaut’s day did not sign their name to their work, we cannot say with certainty that de Machaut was the first to compose a complete mass (I found an earlier mass compilation from at least the century beforehand last year on Youtube). Nonetheless, this Mass features some truly pioneering musical themes, such as isorhythm and dissonances. Performers usually fill out the movements with Gregorian Chant and other sung parts, making for a wonderful recording. Guillaume de Machaut kickstarted my enduring love for medieval European music, medieval French, and love poetry back in 2011.