Composer

:

Codex Chantilly Anonymous

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

before 1395

Average_duration

:

7:06

"Medee fu en amer véritable" is a medieval French song composed by an anonymous composer, found in the Codex Chantilly. The Codex Chantilly is a collection of medieval French songs and dances, compiled in the early 15th century. The song is believed to have been composed in the late 14th century. The song is a lamentation of Medea, the sorceress from Greek mythology, who is abandoned by her lover Jason. The song is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is slow and mournful, with a simple melody and sparse accompaniment. The second movement is more lively, with a faster tempo and more complex melody. The third movement returns to the mournful character of the first, with a slower tempo and simpler melody. The song is notable for its use of chromaticism, which was a relatively new technique in medieval music. Chromaticism involves the use of notes outside of the diatonic scale, which creates a sense of tension and dissonance. The song also features a number of melodic ornaments, such as trills and turns, which add to its expressive character. "Medee fu en amer véritable" was likely performed by a solo singer accompanied by a lute or other plucked string instrument. The song is an example of the courtly love tradition, which was popular in medieval France. Courtly love was a literary and musical tradition that celebrated the idealized love between a knight and a noblewoman. The song has been performed and recorded by a number of early music ensembles, and remains a popular example of medieval French music. Its expressive character and use of chromaticism make it a particularly compelling example of medieval songwriting.

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