Fantasia on a Medieval Tune (2024)

Program Notes

Fantasia on a Medieval Tune is a set of variations on the French secular song “L’homme arme” from the Late Middle Ages. The song was a popular choice of cantus firmus for many Renaissance composers, and was often used in settings of the Mass, including by prominent composers such as Guillaume Dufay or Johannes Ockeghem. The melody takes on several forms, first stated as a jubilant fanfare, before moving into a Renaissance-inspired dance, with several metrical and harmonic interruptions. Next it transforms into a musical prayer, lead by a solo trumpet, before being passed around the ensemble. Finally, it is transformed into a traditional Brazilian batucada samba, reminiscent of the Carnaval street parades, complete with a full bateria in the percussion.