Des herb ais

A leading composer of the Franco-Flemish school, Thomas Crecquillon was active in the mid-16th century, a period that saw the flourishing of the secular chanson. This example, Des herb ais, is written for SATB voices and sung in French. The text, which expresses a lover’s plea to his beloved, speaks of providing remedies for her ailments and of his faithful service, hinting at unspoken feelings. The chanson offers opportunities for expressive word-painting and sensitive ensemble work, characteristic of the genre during this era.