Aux marches du palais: Romances & complaintes de la France d'autrefois

Featuring

Vincent Dumestre
Le Poème Harmonique
Anonymous (Traditional)
Anonymous
Jean Richafort
Jacques Arcadelt

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Recording & Production

The album was recorded in Paris, at the chapel of the Hôpital Notre-Dame de Bon Secours, in December 2000.

Cultural Impact

The continuity of French songs across centuries is forged by their deep roots in human life, reflecting the evolution of people over time.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The album aims to return to the roots of old French songs, evoking their history and how they have been preserved, to ensure they endure as fragments of collective childhood memory.

Historical Context

During the Renaissance, elites were bicultural, learning popular songs and folktales from their nurses while also studying classical traditions in schools.

Compositional Technique

The album explores the complex links and imprecise boundaries between music transmitted through written tradition and that passed down through oral tradition.

Compositional Technique

Traditional songs and ancient written music are united by their combination of music and words, where poetry becomes lyrical and simple words transform into incantations.