Composer

:

Guillaume de Machaut

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Ballade

Compose Date

:

before 1350

Average_duration

:

4:47

"En amer a douce vie" is a chanson composed by Guillaume de Machaut, a French poet and composer of the 14th century. The chanson was composed in the ars nova style, which was a musical style that emerged in the 14th century and was characterized by complex rhythms and harmonies. The chanson was composed in the early 14th century, and it premiered in the court of King John II of France. The chanson is written in the French language and is one of Machaut's most famous works. "En amer a douce vie" is a three-movement chanson, with each movement having its own distinct characteristics. The first movement is characterized by a lively and upbeat tempo, with the melody being carried by the upper voices. The second movement is slower and more contemplative, with the lower voices taking the lead. The third movement is a return to the lively tempo of the first movement, with the upper voices once again carrying the melody. The chanson's lyrics are about the joys and sorrows of love, with the narrator expressing his desire for a sweet life with his beloved, but also acknowledging the pain and suffering that love can bring. The chanson's title, "En amer a douce vie," translates to "In bitter and sweet life," which reflects the theme of the lyrics. Overall, "En amer a douce vie" is a beautiful example of the ars nova style, with its complex rhythms and harmonies, and its poignant lyrics about the joys and sorrows of love. It remains a beloved work of medieval music to this day.

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