Composer

:

Guillaume de Machaut

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Ballade

Compose Date

:

before 1350

Average_duration

:

5:21

De toutes flours is a chanson composed by Guillaume de Machaut, a French poet and composer of the 14th century. The piece was likely composed in the 1350s and is considered one of Machaut's most famous works. It was likely premiered at the court of John II of France, where Machaut was a canon and secretary. The piece is written in the form of a rondeau, a popular form of secular song in the Middle Ages. The rondeau consists of a refrain, which is repeated throughout the piece, and several verses. In De toutes flours, the refrain is "De toutes flours n'a si bele rose" ("Of all the flowers, there is no rose so beautiful"), which is repeated after each verse. The piece is characterized by its intricate polyphonic texture, with multiple voices weaving in and out of each other. The melody is often shared between the voices, creating a sense of unity and harmony. The harmonies are often complex, with dissonances and unexpected chord progressions adding interest and tension to the piece. The lyrics of De toutes flours are typical of the courtly love tradition, which was popular in the Middle Ages. The speaker praises his beloved, comparing her to a beautiful rose and expressing his devotion to her. The language is poetic and ornate, with elaborate metaphors and imagery. Overall, De toutes flours is a beautiful example of Machaut's skill as a composer and poet. Its intricate polyphony and courtly lyrics make it a classic of medieval music.

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