LOS MOTZ EL SO - Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Library ...

organized; their descriptions range from a bland reference to a “lack of formal regularity” 44 to
the dismissive pronouncement that they are “devoid of organizing phenomena and appear to
wander aimlessly within an ill-defined range.” 45 Those who focus on Folquet’s songs in
particular find them more commendable. Sesini praises the melodies, considering them the best
aspect of his songs, bringing the poems to life. 46 He identifies quotations and paraphrases in
Folquet’s melodies, paralleling the literary quotations and paraphrases Stronski had found.
Sesini cites only one example, 47 but more recently Le Vot has identified several “reminiscences”
(as he calls them) of sacred and secular melodies in Folquet’s songs. 48 In a recent anthology he
described one song as “classic.” 49
This diversity of opinion on Folquet’s literary and musical accomplishments among
modern scholars reflects our incomplete understanding and appreciation of troubadour
compositional practices. In this dissertation I hope to increase our understanding by examining
Folquet’s songs in detail.
Biography
The Old Occitan biography or vida is the main source of information about Folquet’s life
and forms the starting point for all discussions of his life. It has been transmitted in eleven
44 Steel, “Influences on the Musical Style,” 250.
45 van der Werf, Extant Troubadour Melodies, 32.
46 Sesini, “Folchetto da Marsiglia,” 84.
47 Sesini, “Folchetto da Marsiglia,” 81. He observes that the melody for the seventh verse
of “Ay! tan gen vens” resembles the gregorian Kyrie “Orbis factor.”
48 Le Vot, “Intertextualité, métrique.”
49 “En chanten,” Le Vot, “Music of the Troubadours and Trouvères,”12.
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