Medieval Secular Music
Troubadors, Trouveres & Jongulers
Medieval Secular Music
The majority of music that survives the middle ages is sacred music,
because clergy (leaders of the church) were typically the only people in
a community who could read and write. Therefore, medieval sacred
music was usually written down in some way.
There is plenty of evidence of music outside the church, but most of
this music was passed around orally, not near as much survived.
Of the secular music that has survived, most of it came from the
troubadors, trouveres & jongulers.
Many of these entertainers traveled from town to town singing songs,
playing instruments and reciting poetry for the masses.
There seems to be a concentration of these musicians in the early
France & England.
This presentation introduces various secular musicians of this time and
where possible, performances of their music.
Medieval Secular Music
Here is the group LiliumLyra – a band dedicated to the music of
the troubadors & trouveres.
Medieval Secular Music
Adam de la Halle – c.1237-1288
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French trouvere, poet and musician.
Wrote chansons (French songs), secular motets & plays.
Wrote "Jeu de Robin et Marion“ – the first mention of Robin Hood and Maid
Marian. The earliest surviving secular play.
Was a member of Confrérie des jongleurs et bourgeois d'Arras. A long title,
basically a early group of entertainers.
Here is a quick performance of the chanson “Bonne amourete me tient gai”
Various Troubadors
Beatritz de Dia (c.1140-1175) – a female troubador who wrote courtly
love songs in the 12th century. Her songs include parts for the flute –
unusual for these parts to be notated at this time.
Giraut Riquier (c.1230-1292) - one of the last true trubadors. He took
great care in writing down his poems & notation, thus much of it
survives and is performed today.
Pierol d’Auvergne (c.1160-c.1220) – French troubador who wrote
cansos (love songs) about courtly love. 16-17 of these songs complete
with notation survive today.
Peredigon (1190-1212) – trubador from Lesperon, France. Well
respected in his day – apparently, his songs were sung by many other
trubadors of his day. 14 of his works survive including 3 casnos (love
songs).
Beatritz de Dia
Song by Giraut Riquier
Peredigon with a vielle
Pierol
Medieval Secular Music
Aimeric de Peguilhan (c.1170-c.1230)
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Trubador – son of a clothes merchant.
Fled the region of the Albigensian Crusade – afraid for his life.
Composed over 50 works, music for six survives.
Composed cansos (love songs)
Here is a modernized performance of “Un Canto a la Paz”
Medieval Secular Music
Gaucelm Faidit (c.1170-c.1202)
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Born in a family of Knights – he traveled extensively from France, Spain & Hungary.
He participated in the 4th Crusade (the crusade that includes the sack of
Constantinople) – probably died during this crusade.
70 poems & 14 melodies survive. Several of his poems have detailed explanations of
their origins – usually illicit love affairs.
Here is a performance of “S'om pogues partir son boler” – a medieval love song.
Various Trubadors
Pistoleta (1185-1228) – Provencial (area of SE France next to Italy)
troubador. His name means ‘little letter.’ Left behind 11 songs – 9
cansos & 2 tensos (debate songs).
Raimbaut de Vaqueiras (1180-1207) – Provencial troubador and later a
knight. 33 songs are attributed to him, only 8 melodies have survived.
The works are typical of troubadors – love songs, laments & dances.
Rigaut de Berbezilh (1140-1163) – Poor knight & troubador. 15 works
survive, including 3 melodies. Usual fare – love songs & laments.
Rambaut de Vaqueras
Raqaut de Berbezilh w/lady friend
Medieval Secular Music
Piere d Alvernhe (c.1130-c.1170)
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French Trubador – began holy orders early in life (studied to be clergy) and quit to
pursue a career as a traveling musician.
Spent time in the court of Castile in Spain, performing for the royalty there.
24 of his works with melodies survive today over a variety of topics – love of religion,
courtly love songs, protest songs and even humor.
Here is a performance of his most famous song Cantarai d'aqueszt trobadors - a
song that makes fun of 12 other contemporary trubadors and praises himself.
Medieval Secular Music
Raimon de Miraval (c.1160-c.1220)
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Born owning a portion of a castle in Mirival, France.
Fled to Spain during the Albegensian Crusade – unfortunately, he was never able to
return to his castle in France.
45 of his works remain, 22 have melodies – a good rate for most troubadors.
Here is a performance of Bel m'es qu'eu chant e coindei – a song expressing love
from afar.
The End! 
Next – Class work – don’t forget your notes!