Ce fut amour

The words of Thomas Crecquillon's chanson Ce fut amour express the pain of lost love, where past happiness now only serves to intensify present sorrow. The singer laments a love that has betrayed them, initiating a dolorous day and bringing a cruel misfortune that causes lasting anguish. This SATTB setting captures the text's melancholy mood. Crecquillon was a prominent composer of secular chansons in the mid-16th century, and this work exemplifies the intricate polyphony and expressive lyricism characteristic of the genre. The French text is sung throughout, requiring careful attention to textual declamation by the choir.