On the theoretical expression of music in France during the Renaissance

Philippe Vendrix (1)

1 CESR - Centre d'études supérieures de la Renaissance UMR 7323

Music theoretical works existed in France in specialized categories (dance, plainchant, apprenticeship, mathematics, general) before the Renaissance. Therefore, music theory was excluded from general works on philosophy or history. Only a small number of ancient texts on music theory were published in France. French theorists, however, had access to Italian and German treatises, and evidence points to the influence of Italian humanism on the discussion of music in France. Most French treatises had a pragmatic function, ranging from general introductions to music to pedagogical works on instrumental playing and composition. Many were written with the amateur in mind, where clarity was the aim (RILM 1995-09528).

Mots clés: music theory; theoretical writings; treatises; music theorists; theoretical discourse; France; musical humanism; art; Renaissance; 15th century; 16th century

Domaines: Musique, musicologie et arts de la scène

Philippe Vendrix. On the theoretical expression of music in France during the Renaissance. Early Music History, 1994, 13, pp.249-273. ⟨10.1017/S0261127900001376⟩. ⟨halshs-00230129⟩