French Motets in the Thirteenth Century

Focusing on the vernacular motet in thirteenth-century France, this study explores its significance as a prestigious musical form bridging the Notre-Dame School and early Ars Nova. It examines how musicians and poets transformed existing materials into new works, analyzing the processes of texting and retexting. The book also delves into genre conception in this era, incorporating twentieth-century genre theory to enhance understanding. Ultimately, it presents the motet as a dynamic interplay of literary and musical elements, enriching the meaning of each composition.