The dukedom of Burgundy was founded in 1363, when John II of France gave it to his son Philip (1342-1404). Burgundy attained the height of her power under Philip the Good (1396-1467) and through marriages, inheritance, purchase and conquest, its territory was soon extended. When Philip's successor, Charles the Bold, died in 1477, Louis XI of France took Burgundy back into his empire. Some of the greatest artists of the time, including Jan van Eyck, were drawn into the sphere of the Burgundian count. However, little of the music of this era is familiar today. Research has shown that the Court's most representative composer, Guillaume Dufay, was as great a figure of his time and in his influence on present day music as were the van Eyck brothers in the history of painting.
Music was closely interwoven with daily life in times of peace and war, and was used at marriages, birthdays, banquets, and other ceremonies. Chaplains, instrumentalists, and minstrels accompanied the sovereigns on their campaigns, sang and played at the signing of treaties, and took part in funeral services. On these campaigns, the musicians of the Dukes of Burgundy came into close contact with the best musicians in Europe, influencing and in turn, being influenced by such. The Burgundian School is said to have received from the English composer, Dunstable, that peculiar contemplative sweetness so striking in their work.
Hélas, et quant vous vevray? - lute, fiedel, bass recorder - Dufay (c.1400-1474)
La belle se siet - soprano, lute, tenor recorder, gamba - Dufay
Tsaat een meskin - soprano, alto shawm, sacbuts - Obrecht (c.1453-1505)
Alma redemptoris mater - soprano, recorder, lute - Dufay
Five selections from the Glogauer Liederbuch - (c.1477-1488)
Bruder Konrad - bass, percussion
Das Jaegerhorn - soprano, alto shawms, tenor sacbut
Es sold eyn Man - soprano, lute, organetto, bass krummhorn
Ich sachz eyns Mols - alto, gemshorn
Czenner Greyner - tenor, soprano krummhorn, bass krummhorn
Rondeau: De plus en plus - soprano, bass recorder, fiedel, lute - Binchois (1395?-1460)
Chanson: Filles á marier - soprano, alto, organetto, gamba, sackbut - Binchois
Rondeau: He! Compaignons - tenor, bass, lute, gamba, krummhorn, recorder - Dufay
L'Homm armé - ensemble - Anonymous (15th century)
Missa: L'Homme armé - ensemble - Dufay
Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison
Kyrie eleison
Agnus Dei I
Agnus Dei II
Agnus Dei III
This concert was performed to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Dufay.