Composer

:

Guillaume de Machaut

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Ballade

Compose Date

:

before 1350

Average_duration

:

4:51

"De Fortune me doy pleindre" is a chanson composed by Guillaume de Machaut, a French poet and composer of the 14th century. The chanson was composed in the 1350s and is one of Machaut's most famous works. It was premiered in the court of King John II of France, where Machaut was a court musician. The chanson is written in the form of a complaint, where the speaker laments his misfortunes and blames them on Fortune, the goddess of fate. The text is in the form of a dialogue between the speaker and Fortune, where the speaker accuses Fortune of being fickle and cruel. The chanson is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is slow and mournful, with the speaker expressing his sorrow and despair. The music is in a minor key, with long, sustained notes and a slow, mournful melody. The second movement is more lively and rhythmic, with the speaker accusing Fortune of being capricious and unpredictable. The music is in a major key, with a faster tempo and a more upbeat melody. The third movement is a return to the slow, mournful character of the first movement, with the speaker resigning himself to his fate and accepting his misfortunes. The chanson is notable for its complex musical structure, with intricate polyphonic textures and sophisticated harmonies. Machaut was a master of the Ars Nova style of music, which was characterized by its use of complex rhythms and harmonies. "De Fortune me doy pleindre" is a prime example of this style, with its intricate counterpoint and complex harmonies. Overall, "De Fortune me doy pleindre" is a masterpiece of medieval music, showcasing Machaut's skill as both a poet and a composer. Its themes of fate and fortune are timeless, and its musical beauty continues to captivate audiences to this day.

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