Content desir

Claudin de Sermisy’s Content desir is a delightful example of the French chanson. Scored for double choir (SATB and ATTB), its intricate vocal lines interweave, creating a rich and complex texture. The text speaks of a 'contented desire' that nonetheless causes pain, lamenting the speaker's weakness in the face of powerful love and calling for succour. Sermisy masterfully captures the emotional arc of the lyrics through his contrapuntal writing, offering a rewarding challenge for an accomplished choir. This chanson would make a striking addition to a programme of Renaissance secular part-music, showcasing both the composer's skill and the ensemble's expressive capabilities.