Programme

Guillaume de Machaut (cca 1300–1377): „Le Jugement du Roy de Behaigne“ (The Trial of the King of Bohemia)
Ballads, virelais, motets & court poetry

chanson roial: Joie, plaisence et douce norriture
lai: Qui naroit autre deport
ballade:Tres douce dame que j’aour
motet: Hareu!
virelai: Douce dame jolie
ballade: (instrumental)
virelai: En mon cuer
ballade: Doulze amis
virelai: J’aim sans penser
ballade: Dame, de qui toute ma joie
ballade: Amours me fait desirer
rondeau: Dame mon cuer

The composed programme dedicated to the great Guillaume de Machaut is a celebration of medieval court poetry. The neglected Machaut worked for a large part of his life in the service of the Czech King John of Luxembourg and is one of the most important composers and poets of the 14th century, whose name is known. In his early work The Trial of the Bohemian King, the narrator overhears a debate between a lady (whose lover is dead) and a knight (betrayed by his lady); the narrator, in order to declare one or the other the most unfortunate, seeks the advice of the king of Bohemia to declare one of them the winner. The rich text of the courtly lyric is complemented by Machaut’s musical works alternating different forms expressing the impulses of the human soul.