Chant des Oiseaux

Clèment Janequin’s (c. 1485-1558) Le Chant des Oiseaux is for mixed choir or four-part vocal ensemble (French text, Editor: Frank Dobbins). The imitation of birdsong has played a prominent role in French music ever since the Middle Ages. This delightful assembly of human and ornithological dialogue enjoyed considerable popularity in instrumental arrangements in Italy and Spain in the sixteenth century. Fazer Editions of Early Music is a choral series under the editorial supervision of Paul Hillier, founder and artistic director of the renowned Hilliard Ensemble Although each title in this series is the result of careful scholarly research and is a reliable source for musicologists, the series' main purpose is to make practical performing editions available to choirs and other vocal ensembles. The original C clefs have been replaced by G and F clefs and the note values adapted to conform to modern practice. All the works in the series are intended for mixed voices. Each title includes a lengthy introduction in English and notes on the editorial principles. Where necessary, an English translation of the text and a guide to pronunciation are provided.