Guillaume de Machaut is the first “famous” composer in western musical history. In his time, the Middle Ages, most composers delivered their works anonymously (as part of their clerical duties), but Machaut was considered such a master of his creative art that he presented his works under his own name. He was in the service of the highest monarchs, among whom was Charles V, King of France.

Machaut’s “Messe de Nostre Dame” is the first polyphonic Mass written, a complicated structure full of ingenious compositorial techniques. But even without the theoretical knowledge, we are still spellbound by the haunting beauty and mystery of this masterpiece.

The CD-ROM includes essays by Dominique Vellard on all the music, plus sung texts (CD-ROM translations in modern French, English, German and Spanish).

Contents:
CD 1
Messe de Nostre Dame with the Gregorian propers of the Mass of the Assumption, 14th c.
1. Introitus: Gaudeamus omnes in domino
2. Kyrie Eleison
3. Gloria in Excelsis Deo
4. Collectio: Veneranda nobis
5. Epistulum: Lectio libri Sapientiae
6. Graduale: Propter veritatem
7. Alleluia, assumpta est Maria
8. Evangelium: In illo tempore intravit Jesus
9. Credo in Unum Deum
10. Offertorium: Diffusa est gratia
11. Praefatio
12. Sanctus & Benedictus
13. Pater Noster
14. Agnus Dei
15. Communio: Regina mundi
16. Postcommunio: Mense celestis
17. Ite Missa Est

CD 2
Le vray remède d’amour
1. Je, Guillaumes, from Le Jugement du Roi de Navarre
2. Dame, vostre doulz viaire, Virelai
3. Amours qui ha le pouoir / Faus samblant, Motet
4. Je vivroie liement, Virelai
5. Ce qui soustient moy, Rondeau
6. La, firent mains divers acors, from Le Remède de Fortune
7. Dame se vous m’estes lonteinne, Ballade
8. Je ne cuit pas, Ballade
9. Doulz viaire gracieus, Rondeau
10. Christe, qui lux est / Veni creator spiritus, Motet
11. Qui des couleurs, from La Loange des Dames
12. Puisqu’en oubli, Rondeau
13. Dame ne regardes pas, Ballade
14. Doulz amis, Ballade
15. Long sont mi jour, from Le Livre du Voir-Dit
16. Tels rit au main, Complainte
17. Liement me deport, Virelai
18. Des que on porroit, from Le Livre du Voir-Dit
19. De toutes flours Ballade
20. Mon cuer, ma suer”, from Le Livre du Voir-Dit
21. Felix virgo/Inviolata genitrix, Motet

CD 3
Le Jugement du Roi de Navarre
1. Joie, plaisance et douce nourriture, Chanson roial
2. Tres douce dame que j’aour, Ballade
3. Un po apres le temps d’autonne...
4. Plange regni/Tu qui gregem tuum ducis, Motet
5. Et tout einsi com je cuidoie...
6. O livoris feritas/Fons totuis superbike, Motet
7. Et quant Nature vit ce fait...
8. Puis que ma dolour Virelai
9. Si que ces tempestes cesserent...
10. Kyrie (Messe de Nostre Dame)
11. Si que tres bien me confessay...
12. J’aim sans penser, Virelai
13. Esperance, Ballade
14. Quant Theseüs/Ne quier veoir, Double ballade
15. Damoiselle, la traïson de Theseüs...
16. Honte, paour, doubtance, Ballade
17. Adont commensa Souffissance...
18. Nes que on porroit, les estoilles nombrer, Ballade
19. Quant leur consaus fu affinez...
20. Amours me fait desirer, Ballade