Humanism

John Dunstaple (1390-1453) -  “Quam pulchra es”

Rhythmically this is such a contrast to Machaut. Simple long notes with some ornaments on the cadence. The emphasis here is on harmonic progression. There is a clear top melody and the bottom voices are supporting it to create clear triads. The cadences still remain as perfect intervals.
There is thought to counterpoint but the lines remain balanced - one voice moves when others sustain.
 There is definitely pleasure involved in writing and listening to this lush, gentle and "pretty" sound.
This is a motet, but it is a startling difference from 14c. It is cohesive, with language, melody, part writing, harmony and form.
At first, the text baffled me - it is earthly, even a bit raunchy, and then ends with an "Alleluia" (?)
Is this a biblical poem? Yes indeed! It is from Song of Songs. The first part belongs to a male, the second to a female. I'm still not sure why it requires an Alleluia though.

Here's a translation:

How beautiful and fair you are, my beloved,
most sweet in your delights.
Your stature is like a palm-tree,
and your breasts are like fruit.
Your head is like Mount Carmel
and your neck is like a tower of ivory.

Come, my beloved, let us go into the fields
and see if the blossoms have born fruit,
and if the pomegranates have flowered.
There will I give my breasts to you.

Alleluia.


Gillaume Du Fay (1397-1474) - Kyrie from Missa L'homme Arme.

L'homme Arme (the armed man) is a folk song. It is used as a cantus firmus here. 



Appropriation! It's surprising that a folk song is appropriated as a cantus firmus by the church, instead of chant.
I'm enjoying the new balance found in the counterpoint, where activity is not simultaneous.  There is also a stronger harmonic progression and triadic harmony.


Josquin De Prez (1450-1521) - Missa de L'homme Arme

Wow, 6 voices. The emphasis on harmony is apparent since he is working with richer sounds, broader ranges and triadic structures. 
I am witnessing the incorporation of imitation, theme development and counterpoint writing that resembles baroque practices. The Agnus Dei is gorgeous!
There is a careful balance between sustaining notes and moving notes. De Prez's biography shows that he was a choir singer, which sheds light on his careful and innovative writing. The control of the different parts and components is evident.
The cantus firmus here is also L'homme Arme, as the title suggests.



I also sang a version of L'homme Arme, a setting by Robert Dennis along with 5 other folk songs in his series "The Golden Peacock".
As I tried to find a recording of his setting, the only one I found is of the performance I was in! Sadly the camera only shows our (fabulous) conductor Phillip Cheah, but you can still listen to a different setting of the piece, if you're interested of course.