10. Revecy vemir du Printans Claude Le Jeune "Printemps," 1513 (Posthumous work in "vers mesurés a l'antique") Here is one of the most characteristic pieces the Renaissance has left us, with its masterly writing and remarkable rhythm and form. All the verses except one are based on u u — u — u — — that is, two shorts, a long and a short, a long and a short, and two longs. The ornaments that Mersenne calls crispaturae vocum ("vocal curls") represent here and there the small change. This work is composed of two elements: the rechant and the chants (refrain and strophe). The rechant is syllabic and in 5 voices (notice the vocalize of the tenor that adorns it); it is repeated without change. but the chant is exposed in varying versions, first by 2, then by 3, by 4, and finally by 5 voices. And so we have: R+A'+R+A"+R+A"'+R+A""+R+R Neither the listener's ear nor his mind will fail to appreciate the masterly, exquisite way in which Claude Le Jeune has responded to the challenge of this form. Spring is here again, the beautiful season of love. Waters run clear, the sea calms its angry waves. The duck joyfully Plunges into the pool. The sun shines more brightly, dispersing clouds and shadows. Cupid shoots his arrows far and wide, and all nature rejoices. Let us, too, laugh and be merry to celebrate this gay season. 1