The Latin Texted Motets of Guillaume de Machaut
嚜燜he Latin Texted Motets of Guillaume de Machaut
Submitted by
Jennette Lauren Montefu B.A. (University of San Diego)
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of
Master of Music
School of Arts and Sciences
Faculty of Humanities
Australian Catholic University
Research Services
Locked Bag 4115,
Fitzroy, VIC 3065
Australia
July 30, 2003
Statement of Sources:
This thesis contains no material published elsewhere or extracted in
whole or in part from a thesis by which I have qualified for or been
awarded another degree or diploma.
No other person*s work has been used without due
acknowledgement in the main text of the thesis.
This thesis has not been submitted for the award of any degree or
diploma in any other tertiary institution.
All research procedures reported in the thesis received the approval
of the relevant Ethics/Safety Committees where required.
_____________________________
Jennette Lauren Montefu
__________________
Date
ii
Abstract
Guillaume de Machaut*s motets constitute a cycle. This study focuses upon
Machaut*s six Latin texted motets and their influence upon these cyclical contexts.
Former research into these motets has uncovered references to contemporary poetry,
liturgical texts, literary sources, particular persons, and historical events. Through an
examination of recent research into the cyclical nature of the motets it is possible to
critically evaluate these hypotheses in the light of the past historical, codicological,
liturgical, musical and poetic analysis of these works to create a rounded picture of each
motet. In this way it was found that many of the previously researched aspects of the
motets follow in line with recent theories surrounding motet grouping structures. In this
way when placing these works within a mystical theological literary context their sacred
nature, evident within the tenor chant fragments upon which many of them are built,
becomes evident and a greater plan apparent. Beyond this, with an examination of
Machaut*s life and the events which occurred in his lifetime the context for composition
of the remaining motets is unearthed. Within these motets elements have now been
identified which link them to Machaut*s canonries at both Saint Quentin and Reims as
well as the events of the Hundred Years* War. In this way the deep connection between
Machaut*s motets and all levels of his life is becoming increasingly apparent.
Through an examination of these six Latin texted motets it is found that a
liturgical context is key to the analysis of all voices. This is apparent in the mere use of
vocabulary idiomatic to the liturgy present within these texts. In this way the selection of
words within motet 21 points to a Marian allusion and the apocalyptic, drawing motet 21
even closer in context to motets 22-23. This apocalyptic reference is also seen in specific
words within in triplum text of motet 22. Furthermore, the Marian allusions discovered
throughout these last three motets in their upper voices are apparent only with a close
examination of the Salve Regina texts. In this way the influence and importance of
liturgical context to the analysis of the motet has been extended to all voices.
This study has also uncovered allusions to other fourteenth century works in the
analysis of Machaut*s motets. In the case of motet 9 a connection between its chant tenor
and another from the Roman de Fauvel reveals a political context which brings an added
richness to the interpretation of these texts. Furthermore, as with motets 18-19, it may be
gleaned that as Machaut and Vitry were both canons at Saint Quentin that perhaps it was
here and with these two motets that Machaut began his tutelage with the older master of
the motet. These conclusions may be drawn by the striking similarities between
Machaut*s works and those believed to have originated from within the Vitry circle.
In the course of this study there have been additions to evidence the necessity of
looking to all aspects of Guillaume de Machaut*s motets in their analysis. This includes
use of numerical symbolism in varying aspects as shown in motet 9 as well as a thorough
exploration of Machaut*s use of vocabulary within his texts to find its literary, historical,
motet, and liturgical allusions. The identification of these sources may either serve to
reinforce or expand the context of the motet leading to a deeper understanding of its
purpose within a group of motets or individually.
iii
Contents
Statement of Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Literature Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Chapter 1 每 Fourteenth Century France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Chapter 2 每 The Life of Guillaume de Machaut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Chapter 3 - Guillaume de Machaut*s Complete Works Manuscripts and
Motet Ordering Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Chapter 4 每 Motet 9 (O livoris feritas /Fons tocius superbie/Fera Pessima) . . . . . . . . . 72
Chapter 5 每 Motets 18 & 19 (Bone pastor guillerme/ Bone pastor, qui pastores / Bone
pastor and Martyrum gemma latria / Diligenter inquiramus / A Christo
honoratus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Chapter 6 - Motets 21-23 (Christe qui lux / Veni creator spiritus / Tribulatio
proxima est, Tu qui gregem / Plange, regni respublica! /
Apprehende arma, and Felix virgo / Inviolata genitrix / Salve Regina) . . . . . . .116
Conclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
APPENDIX I 每 Texts and translations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
iv
Introduction
In the Prologue to his complete works, Guillaume de Machaut gives us a hint as to
the elements which may be found in his musical and poetic works, listing them simply as
Sens, Retorique, et Musique. Although these words appear to be straight forward their
actual medieval meaning and their implications upon Machaut*s musical works are not so
easily fathomed. In order to derive this meaning it is necessary to examine the use of
rhetoric, impressive words and language which probably hold different significance to the
reader of today, and music, whose definition to the Medieval scholar was stratified and
included mathematical ratio and divine order. In scanning the large breadth of Machaut*s
works for these elements they appear to reach their zenith in Machaut*s motets. Indeed,
in the past and present musicologists have excitedly unearthed allusions which seem to
fill these three texted musical works to the brim. These motets have been shown to
encompass references to both the past, with allusion to trouv豕re poetry and other French
literary traditions, as well as Machaut*s present, with reference to the events surrounding
the Hundred Years* War. Beyond this, musically Machaut has been found to borrow
motet material from Philippe de Vitry and his contemporaries, adding a further level of
allusion to the mix. Recently it has even been discovered that in the mere act of ordering
his works Machaut alludes to sacred theological writings of the period. The combination
of these textual allusions, the symbolic musical elements of the ars nova motet, and the
overall cyclical context of the works produces the meaning which Machaut describes
within his Prologue.
1
................
................
In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.
To fulfill the demand for quickly locating and searching documents.
It is intelligent file search solution for home and business.
Related searches
- the best american essays of the century
- the people s history of the united states
- what are the latin countries
- the causes and consequences of the holocaust
- guillaume de machaut s compositions consist mainly of
- guillaume de machaut most famous composition
- guillaume de machaut facts
- who was guillaume de machaut
- guillaume de machaut biography
- guillaume de machaut songs
- guillaume de machaut compositions
- facts about the latin language