Elle voyant approcher

Claude Gervaise was a French composer active in the mid-16th century. This chanson, sung here by ATTB voices, is a fine example of secular part-music from the Renaissance. The French text speaks of a lover's plea upon parting: the beloved asks her partner to leave his heart with her, in place of her own, which belongs to no one else but him. Gervaise sets this tender sentiment with flowing melodic lines and imitative textures typical of the period, creating a piece of intimate charm and delicate expression. It is a beautiful setting of a poignant text, suitable for ensembles seeking to explore the French chanson tradition.