Guillaume de Machaut (c.1300-1377) was a medieval French poet and composer who is universally recognized for his profound influence on the music of the 14th century. An innovative and prolific master, Machaut is especially lauded for his contribution to the Ars Nova (New Art) musical style of the period. While serving in various royal and noble courts, including as a secretary to John, King of Bohemia, he composed a vast array of secular and sacred music, including motets, lais, virelais, and ballades.

Perhaps Machaut's most renowned work is the "Messe de Nostre Dame" (Mass of Our Lady), the earliest complete setting of the Ordinary of the Mass attributable to a single composer, which stands as a monumental achievement in Western music history. His deeply expressive and technically complex compositions have not only informed the traditions that followed but have also been revived and celebrated in modern performances and recordings, such as those listed among his most recent releases. Guillaume de Machaut remains a vital figure for both his literary genius and his central role in the development of early polyphonic music.

Genres

Classical

Early Music

Early Music Ensemble

Medieval

Renaissance

Latest Release

Guillaume de Machaut : Voyage au cœur du Moyen Âge, Vol. 2

Guillaume de Machaut•

Emmanuel Bonnardot

Album - 26 Tracks - Released September 6, 2023