Guillaume Dufay: Missa l'Homme Armé 3. Credo (1/2)

L'Homme Arme was a monophonic melody with political and satirical strains. Dufay made one of the first versions of it in a polyphonic setting in his Missa L’Homme Arme. The beginning of the cycle is designed so that, in the absence of instrumental accompaniment, the cantus firmus is virtually indistinguishable until near the end of the Gloria. The tenor sings the cantus firmus, overlapped by the bass line and other voices that conceal the melody of L'Homme Arme. If this were played by instrumentalists, rather than vocalists, the tone quality of the varying instruments would serve to open up all the parts to the ear, thus illuminating the cantus firmus as well. This hidden quality of Missa L’Homme Arme suggests the playfulness of Dufay with his compositions.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Flemish
• polyphony

[abracadaverous]

From 3:46 through 4:27, each voice part is singing in a different time signature. It's a credit to Dufay's genius that he can make it sound so good without interrupting the fabric of the music, and it's a credit to any ensemble that can sing that transition without making it sound difficult.

[spinoza1111]

Belief like a leaf from men did spring After the end of the world, When William Norman his men did fling Upon a wall of shields. The best part is the worst part, That is to say unexpected, When the credits roll, and the story has been told And it is time for men to bed to creep To find the world's rest, eternal sleep. Et unam, sanctam, et apostolicam Ecclesium Shivered like glass to tears and wrath But all must fall on faith alone Like bungee jumpers who sense no hath.

[BesACB]

Truly one of the greatest pieces of one of the greatest composers!