Guillaume Dufay: Missa l'Homme Armé Agnus Dei

[bradbrown0766]

I do not understand one word of this....and I dont need to, to enjoy it. Music like this can only truly be taken in by closing the eyes, and opening the ears. Listening is not enough but actually hearing it is so beautiful. I learned of this composer from my humanities class, but from the age of 12 (Im now 22) I have listened to spanish and italian opera...neither one of those languages do I speak either. Music of this vintage is the finest history has to offer.

[legomazzytay]

classical music sucks im just ere for a project lol

[ChampAmp69]

@legomazzytay oh good, cause this isn't considered classical :D

[BesACB]

What a stunning piece! Does anyone else feel that whenever the Homme Armee theme shines through very clearly, the music gets wrenchingly emotionally charged?

[BeachballOtaku]

Never have I seen such intellectual and mature comments that actually would cause me to pause and think about them in such a way that those on this video have. I believe I have found proof that there is still class and maturity on Youtube, and the world.

[misterdan28594]

I prefer the kyrie personally!

[movitmovit]

this is the first of his work that i have ever heard. thank you for posting.

[mrgiskard]

What's the performing ensemble called?

[DerangedRanger1]

abracadaverous,

you had the score in front of you when you sung it. that is how you figured it out. please don't pretend you can hear the melody spread over a few minutes backwards. that is ridiculous. if you are that good of a musician, you must be familiar with the technique of retrograde used by composers for a loooooooong time as a basic contrapuntal move.

[fiddlecub]

@DerangedRanger1 Music isn't just for the ears, but also for the mind, heart, and soul. Perhaps most people wouldn't notice the retrograde, and that's fine. @abracadaverous pointed out something that would be of interest to many people interested in this music. This work is just pretty music for some, just like great novels tell fun stories, or great paintings are just pretty pictures. But for many of us, peeling away such layers simply enhances our appreciation. Thanks, @abracadaverous.

[DerangedRanger1]

@fiddlecub Clearly, you did not read what I said. I am not objecting to him pointing things out. What I am objecting to is him acting like he discovered this when this is basic information to anyone who picks up a music history college textbook. Do you see the difference here? I do appreciate your little lecture and platitudes. Thanks for telling me what music is for, but I would point out that you left out the body in your cute little list. :)

[abracadaverous]

@DerangedRanger1 How on earth did you think I was giving you the impression that I am some imperious musical genius who just heard it? I did indeed have the musical score in front of me, and I was indeed singing the tenor line. I noticed because the "doibt on doubter" phrase combined with the preceding note forms a palindromic perfect fifth which sounds the same going forwards and backwards and looks bright yellow to me. Once I noticed that, all I had to do was trace the line back.

[IpsaPaphum]

!!!!!

[abracadaverous]

Listen very carefully to the cantus firmus from 4:46 through 7:02. The tenors are singing L'Homme Arme backwards! How cool is that? One of the many reasons that Dufay is one of my favorite composers of all time.

[TheTimeTraveler100]

@abracadaverous It is, isnt it? Marvelous...

[DerangedRanger1]

@abracadaverous This is old news found in any textbook, but really you can't hear it. You have to see the score in order to detect it, so it is pointless to try to just listen carefully. So, I would imagine that you also like it when someone takes a sample and reverses it? Is that all it takes to get your attention? There are probably better reasons to like this music, but if you insist, ok.

[abracadaverous]

@DerangedRanger1 I discovered this by singing the piece. I've never read about it in a textbook or seen it referred to anywhere else. My interest is purely as a singer. I just thought I'd point it out in case anyone else who hadn't sung the cantus firmus or read your textbooks might also find it interesting. Clearly someone else DID listen, heard it clearly, and indeed found it interesting.

But hey, thanks for the snarky, pompous response! Have a lovely day.

[ccraibleclark]

@DerangedRanger1 The whole point was that you wouldn't be able to hear it! It wouldn't be so subtilior if you could. (yes yes I know that Dufay was not of the subtilior--just a stupid joke)

[luigiperso]

@abracadaverous , what you describe is a technique called 'retrograde' and I think all major composers used it

[dvora072096]

@luigiperso RETROGRADE!!! That's the word I was trying to remember!! Holy cow, you earn that Master's degree with all the accolades, bells and whistles, but what good is it when your brain's been fried by chemo?? LOL Thanks for the pro memoria, Luigi! Grazie infinite!

[luigiperso]

@dvora072096 ,you are welcome ;) I always wanted to get a Master's degree but I am basically self-taught. I have always been very fascinated by the knowledge and skill of these legendary musicians from the past ;)

[abracadaverous]

@luigiperso Thank you! I'm trying to learn about this on my own as much as I can. It's much easier to research something when you know what it's called.

[rogermoore27]

I like the composition and the story behind it. 

[spinoza1111]

Ite missa est,

And we go out to find the spring,

As Mom was carried out, into the sudden sun

She was true to her wedding ring,

And now in Heaven she doth sing.

[guitars2112]

excellent.

[youtubister]

Pity/shame you didn't say who the performing artists are.

[navtelagata]

Oxford Camerata directed by Jeremy Summerly.

Naxos 8.553087.

[youtubister]

Thanks @navtelagata