Composer

:

Johannes Ockeghem

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Chanson

Compose Date

:

ca. 1450 - 1480

Average_duration

:

5:03

"Ma bouche rit" is a chanson composed by Johannes Ockeghem, a prominent composer of the Franco-Flemish School, in the late 15th century. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written around 1470-1480. The chanson was premiered in the court of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, where Ockeghem served as a singer and composer. "Ma bouche rit" is a four-voice chanson, written in the typical form of the time, with a repeated refrain and verses that vary in length and structure. The text is in French and tells the story of a woman who is courted by a man, but who ultimately rejects him. The music is characterized by its lively and playful melody, which is supported by a rich and complex harmonic structure. The chanson is also notable for its use of imitation, where one voice repeats a melody that has just been sung by another voice, creating a sense of unity and coherence. The first movement of "Ma bouche rit" begins with a lively and rhythmic melody, sung by the first voice. The second voice enters with a similar melody, but with a slight variation, creating a sense of imitation. The third and fourth voices then enter, each repeating the melody in turn, until all four voices are singing together in harmony. The refrain, "Ma bouche rit et mon cueur pleure" (My mouth laughs and my heart weeps), is then sung by all four voices in unison. The second movement of the chanson features a more complex and varied melody, with each voice singing a different line of text. The third movement returns to the lively and rhythmic melody of the first movement, with the voices once again imitating each other. The final movement features a slower and more contemplative melody, with the voices singing in harmony and the refrain repeated several times. Overall, "Ma bouche rit" is a lively and playful chanson, characterized by its complex harmonies and use of imitation. It is a testament to Ockeghem's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both technically sophisticated and emotionally engaging.

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