En languissant je

Thomas Crecquillon’s En languissant je is a five-part chanson for STTTB voices, notable for its intricate contrapuntal writing. The secular French text speaks of consuming days in languor, seeking relief day and night. This particular edition presents a sacred contrafactum by Simon Goulart, where the original sentiments of earthly love and longing are transformed into a spiritual plea for divine solace. The repurposed text addresses God directly, asking for assistance and salvation. The music's flowing melodic lines and imitative textures lend themselves to a performance that balances the poignancy of the original with the devotional character of the new lyrics.