Composer

Guillaume de Machaut

1300 — 1377

About

Albums

Machaut: A Lover's Death

Orlando Consort

Machaut: Songs from Remede de Fortune (Complete Machaut Edition 9)

Orlando Consort

Machaut: The Lion of Nobility (Complete Machaut Edition 8)

Orlando Consort

Machaut: The Single Rose (Complete Machaut Edition 7)

Orlando Consort

Machaut: The Gentle Physician (Complete Machaut Edition 6)

Orlando Consort

Machaut: Fortune's Child (Complete Machaut Edition 5)

Orlando Consort

Machaut: Sovereign Beauty (Complete Machaut Edition 4)

Orlando Consort

Machaut: A Burning Heart (Complete Machaut Edition 3)

Orlando Consort

Appears On

Machaut: The Fount of Grace

Orlando Consort

Cyrillus Kreek - The Suspended Harp of Babel

Vox Clamantis, Jaan-Eik Tulve

The Ernst Haefliger Edition

Ernst Haefliger

Saltarello

Garth Knox, Agnès Vesterman, Sylvain Lemêtre

The Spirits of England & France 3: Binchois and His Contemporaries

Gothic Voices, Christopher Page

The Spirits of England & France 1: Music of the Later Middle Ages

Gothic Voices, Christopher Page

The Study of Love: French Songs & Motets of the 14th Century

Gothic Voices, Christopher Page

Lancaster and Valois: French & English Music, c. 1350–1420

Gothic Voices, Christopher Page

AboutGuillaume de Machaut

Guillaume de Machaut (also Machau and Machault; c. 1300 – April 1377) was a French composer and poet who was the central figure of the ars nova style in late medieval music. His dominance of the genre is such that modern musicologists use his death to separate the ars nova from the subsequent ars subtilior movement. Regarded as the most significant French composer and poet of the 14th century,he is often seen as the century's leading European composer.

Guillaume de Machaut: Fascinating Works and Legacy

Guillaume de Machaut, born around 1300 and died in April 1377, left an indelible mark in world history as a gifted French composer and poet who led the ars nova movement in late medieval music. His exceptional talent that overpowered the genre led modern musicologists to use his death as the watershed event separating the ars nova from the later ars subtilior movement. Viewed as the unparalleled French composer and poet of the 14th century, Machaut was also one of the outstanding European composers of his time.

Machaut's Remarkable Works: An Overview

Dive deeper into the mesmerizing universe of Guillaume de Machaut through his extraordinary works such as "A Lover's Death," "The Fount of Grace," and "Songs from Remede de Fortune" among others, proudly brought to you by STAGE+. These programs reflect Machaut’s mastery of both sacred and secular genres, often featuring the formes fixes (rondeau, virelai, and ballade), as well as his narrative poems and groundbreaking polyphony.

Contributions to Medieval Music

Machaut played a crucial role in developing the motet and secular song forms, especially the lai and formes fixes. He is renowned for Messe de Nostre Dame, the earliest known complete setting of the Mass Ordinary by a single composer, which is viewed as a model of medieval counterpoint. Notable secular works include the rondeaux "Ma fin est mon commencement" and "Rose, liz, printemps, verdure," and the virelai "Douce Dame Jolie".

The Orlando Consort Interpretations

Machaut's remarkable compositions have charmed and immersed the Orlando Consort which has taken upon the challenging task of interpreting his works. Be ready to be taken on a captivating journey through the Consort's renditions of Machaut's "The Single Rose," The "Gentle Physician," and "Fortune's Child." These are spectacular renditions that continue to keep the timeless music and remarkable life of Machaut alive.

Cyrillus Kreek's Suspended Harp of Babel

Venturing away from Machaut for a moment, we delve into the mesmerizing work of Cyrillus Kreek. "The Suspended Harp of Babel" is a hauntingly beautiful piece expertly performed by Vox Clamantis and Jaan-Eik Tulve.

Continuing The Journey With Machaut

Returning to the master himself, Guillaume de Machaut, we continue our exploration of his fascinating works and legacy. His influence on medieval music and the subsequent ars subtilior movement is undeniable. As we delve deeper into his compositions, we gain a greater appreciation for his mastery of both sacred and secular genres.