Escorial Chansonnier

The court of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy (1396–1467), was not only a centre of political power in Europe, but also a centre for the arts – especially music. Founded in 1384, the court chapel was at times the largest of its kind, outshining even the ensembles of the French royal court and the Pope of Avignon. No wonder, then, that the so-called “Burgundian Era” of European music history produced some of the most influential Renaissance composers. The Escorial Chansonnier is one of the most fascinating musical sources of this period. Created sometime between 1430 and 1445, this anthological manuscript originated at the court of Philip the Good and may even have been created for the music-loving Duke of Burgundy himself. It contains 63 polyphonic secular part music pieces in mensural notation, including compositions by the likely three most influential composers of the Early Renaissance: John Dunstaple (c. 1390–1453), Guillaume Dufay (shortly before 1400–1474) and Gilles Binchois (c. 1400–1460) – the latter two were directly associated with Philip the Good. The manuscript provides a wonderful insight into the music that was performed and appreciated at the Burgundian court during secular festivities and other occasions of all kinds. The calligraphically precise and artistic, polychrome design of the codex rounds off this treasure of Renaissance music history.