Gautier de Dargies

This French trouvere had ancestors who participated in the first crusade. Gautier himself participated in the third crusade and was accordingly probably acquainted with the trouveres Conon de Bethune, Hugues de Berze and Chastelain de Couci. Primarily Gautier composed traditional chansons of which twenty survive. Most notably, however, Gautier is remembered for his three descorts (including "De celi me plaing") as these examples are the first known of their kind. (The descort was an extended song with different melodies and structures for each separate "stanza".) The compositions of Gautier can be characterized for their independent melodies, quick movements and non-conventional extention of range. (Melodic lines extend beyond the octave to include even 11ths and 12ths). Gautier favored modes with a major third from the final and his "Chancon ferai" was set in full mensural notation. ~ Keith Johnson