Mid 1500s: Solo vocal works were primarily polyphonic compositions for voice and
lute
1600s: ŇReign of the solo songÓ
Monodic: solo vocal line with accompaniment.
Monodies came in various forms:
Air de cour: courtly, refined, amorous. These could be solo
songs or for several voices. They were typically strophic.
Pastorelles, bergerettes: shepherd songs
Romance: descended from Troubadour songs
Chansons
narratives
Vaudeville: Popular songs
Dance songs
Drinking
songs
Brunettes
RŽcits: Declamatory
Charles Tessier, in 1597, published several volumes of monodies in
London, where he was extremely popular.
Solo songs were extremely popular from aristocracy to lower class.
Early
collections of songs were called Airs or
Airs de cour
King Louis XIII composed and performed songs
King Louis XIV enjoyed performances in his kingdom
Composers of the 17th
century:
Pierre GuŽdron (c1564-c1620): famous throughout Europe
Antoine Boesset (1586-1643)
M1490 A37 1970 (LP)
M1619 S68 G4 1956 (LP)
Gerard Souzay recital of early French songs
Gabriel Bataille (1575-1630)
Michel Lambert (1610-1696)
SŽbastian le Camus (1610-1677): wrote instrumental preludes to his songs
Michel de la Barre (1675-1745)
1700s Composers were much more interested in opera.
Very little song composition going on in France.
Composers who did write for solo voice in 18th France:
Jean-Philippe Rameau (1685-1764)
Listening:
example of a Rameau cantata
Louis Nicholas Clerambault (1676-1749)
Francois Couperin (1668-1733)
Their works for solo voice were primarily chamber-cantatas:
Multi-movement works for solo voice and continuo.
This was a development of an Italian form.