An expressive detail in Josquin's Nimphes, nappés - August 2003
In his article 'An expressive detail in Josquin's Nimphes, nappés', Patrick Macey focuses upon a striking cross relation at the end of this six-part lament. By examining compositional procedure in this and other Josquin chansons, Macey shows how the juxtaposition of the pre-existing chant with new melodic motives creates and thwarts harmonic expectation, giving rise to a work of 'great psychological depth'.
This article is one of a series of 'close readings' in the August 2003 issue that pay tribute to the work of John Stevens and Philip Brett.
The score of Nimphes, nappés is reproduced as ex.1 in Early Music xxxi/1 pp.402-405. You can listen to a recording of the piece by clicking on the following link:
- Nimphes nappés, Josquin des Prez [3MB]
Recorded by Chapelle du Roi, dir. Alistair Dixon, on SIGCD005 'Music for Philip of Spain'. © 1998 Signum Records.
By kind permission of Signum Records Ltd.
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