Role

:

Composer

Period

:

Medieval

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Vocal

 

Peire Cardenal was a medieval composer and poet who lived in the 13th century in the region of Languedoc, France. He was born in the town of Saint-Gilles, near Nîmes, around the year 1180. Not much is known about his early life, but it is believed that he received a good education and was exposed to the troubadour tradition of southern France. Cardenal was a member of the Cathar community, a religious sect that was persecuted by the Catholic Church for their beliefs. The Cathars believed in a dualistic worldview, where the material world was seen as evil and the spiritual world was seen as good. They rejected the authority of the Catholic Church and its sacraments, and instead practiced their own form of Christianity. Cardenal was a prolific composer of both secular and sacred music. His works include chansons, motets, and hymns, many of which were written in the Occitan language, the language of the troubadours. His music is characterized by its simple melodies and harmonies, and its use of repetition and imitation. One of Cardenal's most famous works is the hymn "Benedicamus Domino", which was often sung at the end of Mass. The hymn is a simple, four-part setting of the Latin text, with each part singing a different melody. The piece is notable for its use of parallel fifths, a common feature of medieval music. Another notable work by Cardenal is the chanson "Non es meravelha s'eu chan", which translates to "It's no wonder if I sing". The song is a love poem, written in the style of the troubadours, and is set to a simple melody with a repeating refrain. The piece is notable for its use of the vielle, a medieval stringed instrument, which provides a simple accompaniment to the vocal melody. Cardenal's music was widely popular in his time, and his works were often copied and circulated throughout Europe. His influence can be seen in the works of later composers, such as Guillaume de Machaut and Francesco Landini. Despite his popularity, Cardenal's life was not without controversy. As a member of the Cathar community, he was often at odds with the Catholic Church, and his beliefs and practices were seen as heretical. In 1233, he was excommunicated by the Bishop of Toulouse, and his music was banned from use in the Church. Despite this setback, Cardenal continued to compose music and poetry until his death in the early 13th century. His legacy lives on in his music, which continues to be performed and studied by musicians and scholars around the world.

More....