Codex Chantilly I

The most significant among the so-called Ars Subtilior Mss. is the codex which today lies in the Musée Condé in Chantilly. Recent research suggests that the repertory of this codex originated in South-Western France, insofar as this is not part of the general French repertory of the time. It is clear that both music and texts were intended for, and/or commissioned by the courts of in particular Gaston Fébus, count of Foix and Beam (1343-1391), John I, king of Aragon (1350-1395) and Jean, Duc de Berry (1340-1416). The 112 polyphonic compositions comprise 99 songs and 13 motets, among which the 70 ballades predominate, though there are also 17 rondeaux and 12 virelais. The Ensemble Tetraktys was founded by Kees Boeke in 2000 and has realized three CD recordings for the label Olive Music: Trecento, as a duo with Jill Feldman (soprano) and Kees Boeke (flute and viella), and Dufay Chansons as a quartet adding harp and viella. In 2006, the ensemble recorded works from the Squarcialupi Codex which includes 8 ballatas by the relatively unknown composer, Andrea da Firenze. The present recording of works from the Chantilly Codex is the first in an ambitious project, the complete recording of all the compositions in this, probably the most famous of all medieval musical manuscripts.