Il me souffit

Claudin de Sermisy’s chanson Il me suffit is a refined example of secular French part-music from the Renaissance. Its text speaks of a lover’s suffering, so profound that death would be a welcome release, unless his beloved’s face can bring him solace. He endures such pain and discomfort that his heart is dead unless he sees her. The complex voicing of SSAT, STTB, ATTB suggests a large ensemble, perhaps for a courtly occasion or a significant gathering where the expressive qualities of this chanson could be appreciated. The intricate interplay between the voices would have been a hallmark of sophisticated musical entertainment in the 16th century.