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Cited by 8Musicology and Musical AnalysisMedieval European Literature and HistoryMedieval Literature and History

The DOI matches its Crossref record; none of the 9 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

The "Not-so-precisely Measured" Music of the Middle Ages

Open access
van der Werf, Hendrik·1988·Performance Practice Review
DOI 10.5642/perfpr.198801.01.5
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Abstract

Evidence from medieval writers, musical notation, and variant readings in the sources all suggest that troubadour and trouvere songs were performed in more or less equal note values and in a manner that presented the poetry clearly.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Hendrik van der Werf argues that troubadour and trouvère songs were generally performed with “not-so-precisely measured” duration rather than strict modal rhythm, and that multiple manuscript versions support flexible, roughly equal note values. He cautions that the original rhythm cannot be reconstructed exactly and that precise measurement applies only to exceptional songs.

Key findings

  • Most troubadour and trouvère chansons survive in non-mensural square notation; Grocheio seems to place them among the “not-so-precisely-measured” genres, while mensural notation was used for polyphonic motets and rondeaux by Adam de la Hale but not for his monophonic chansons and jeux-partis.
  • Well over 2,000 non-liturgical songs preserve both text and melody; some songs occur in up to a dozen sources, and melodic variants are more numerous and probably more significant than textual ones. In AB AB X songs, the first four lines vary less across versions than later lines, which the author says supports oral transmission.
  • The variants could not have arisen if all chansons had always been performed in modal rhythm or in any regular long-short/accented-unaccented alternation; instead, pitches were of “more or less equal” importance and duration, with double notes likely longer than single notes.
  • Exceptions exist: some songs show precise measurement, including semi-mensural notation in the Chansonnier Cangé, hybrid songs resembling motets, and a Blondel de Nesle chanson possibly in the third rhythmic mode. For performance, van der Werf suggests singing all strophes, making single notes fairly equal, making double notes about twice as long, and concentrating on getting the text across.

Methods

  • Essay/review synthesizing medieval writings on music (Augustine, Franco of Cologne, Johannes de Garlandia, Johannes de Grocheio), notation evidence, and comparative study of multiple manuscript versions of troubadour and trouvère songs.
  • Focus is on monophonic song in French and Occitan, with examples from chansonniers including the Chansonnier Cangé and the Adam de la Hale manuscript; the discussion also extends cautiously to narrative songs, dancing songs, chromatic alterations, and instrumental accompaniment.
  • Main analysis is qualitative: it compares variants across sources, notation types, and recent performance/recording practice to infer durational flexibility rather than reconstruct original rhythm.

Limitations

  • The paper states that the original rhythm cannot be reconstructed precisely; many songs lack multiple versions, other genres have few extant melodies, and there is uncertainty about dances, estampies, chromatic alterations, and instrumental accompaniment. It also notes that no manuscript preserves accompaniment to any song prior to the fourteenth century.
  • The author states that his conclusions are general and vague, that he deliberately avoids specific examples, and that more study is needed on the Chansonnier Cangé, narrative songs, estampies, and related genres.
  • Evident from the text: the argument relies heavily on qualitative comparison and negative evidence, and the OCR/transcription is garbled in places with incomplete footnotes, though this is a textual artifact rather than an author-stated limitation.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.5642/perfpr.198801.01.5

Cites

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

0 of 9 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingreasoning
    § Precisely Measured Melodies

    For these hybrid songs, no multiple versions can be found that might argue against their having been conceived in modal rhythm.

    “one being that no multiple versions can be found that might argue against these songs having been conceived in modal rhythm.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingnone given
    § Precisely Measured Melodies

    Several manuscripts containing primarily chansons contain a separate section with motets.

    “Several of the manuscripts saving primarily chansons contain a separate section with motets.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingnone given
    § "Not-so-predsely Measured" Music 53

    In a chanson by Blondel de Nesle, the uniformity in its multiple versions, including the placement of word accents and distribution of pitches over the text, is unusual for the genre.

    “In a chanson by Blondel de Nesle the uniformity in its multiple versions, including the placement of word accents and distribution of pitches over the text, is unusual for the genre.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingnone given
    § The Musical Notation

    Most musical scribes of troubadour and trouvere songs used the square notation known from Gregorian chant, which bears no indications of duration aside from double notes.

    “Most musical scribes of troubadour and trouvere songs used the square notation which we know from Gregorian chant and which bears no indications of duration aside from double notes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingnone given
    § Multiple Versions

    Four trouvere sources preserve long groups of songs, often by a single author, in the very same order and with few differences.

    “Four of the trouvere sources preserve long groups of songs, often by a single author, in the very same order and with few differences.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 35
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 31

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingnone given
    § Dancing Songs

    We have no clear indication about duration and accentuation in the estampie melody, per se.

    “Nevertheless, we have no clear indication about duration and accentuation in the melody, per se.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given
    § Multiple Versions

    Melodic variants are more numerous (and probably more significant) than textual ones.

    “Melodic variants are more numerous (and probably more significant) than textual ones.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given
    § The Musical Notation

    In the Chansonnier Cangi, the scribe used mensural notation for the major part of a motet for two voices, while his notation of most chansons is decidedly non-mensural.

    “The scribe of the manuscript now known as the Chansonnier Cangi demonstrated his familiarity with mensural notation by using it for the major part of a motet for two voices, while his notation of most chansons is decidedly non-mensural.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given
    § Precisely Measured Melodies

    Although they do not seem to be very numerous, there are exceptions to the above generalizations: some trouvere songs have pitches that are precisely measured.

    “Although they do not seem to be very numerous, there are exceptions to the above generalizations.In fact, it has been known for a long time that there are some trouvere songs in which the pitches are precisely measured.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data
    § "Not-so-predsely Measured" Music 53

    Some chansons contain internal features atypical of their genre, compelling us to consider whether they are more precisely measured than is normal.

    “Finally, some chansons contain internal features atypical of their genre compelling us to consider whether they are more precisely measured than is normal.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given
    § The "Approximate 11 Equality of Individual Notes

    Multiple versions of many songs agree fairly well on the pitches for a given passage, but differ on how the pitches are to be distributed over the text.

    “The multiple versions of many songs agree fairly well on the pitches for a given passage, but differ on how the pitches are to be distributed over the text.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given
    § "Not-so-predsely Measured" Music 53

    The Chansonnier Cangé is the only trouvère chansonnier to present the songs in alphabetical order, exclusively according to the first letter of the text, while at least two motet collectors similarly organized their manuscript.

    “This is the only trouvere chansonnier to present the songs in alphabetical order (exclusively according to the first letter of the text), while at least two motet collectors similarly organized their manuscript.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Findingnone given
    § Medieval Writings Concerning Measurement

    Medieval writings about the poetry of the troubadours and trouveres are devoid of information concerning melodic rhythm.

    “Medieval writings about the poetry of the troubadours and trouveres are devoid of information concerning melodic rhythm.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Findingnone given
    § Recent Performances and Recordings

    Judging by recent recordings, performers of early music have completely abandoned strict modal rhythm for troubadour and trouvère songs.

    “Judging by recent recordings, performers of early music have completely abandoned this aspect of modal rhythm.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Findingnone given
    § Recent Performances and Recordings

    There seems to be no published defense of the practice of making individual pitches unequal and syllables close to equal.

    “There seems to be no published defense of this practice”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Findingnone given
    § Medieval Writings Concerning Measurement

    Among treatises dealing with music, only the one by Johannes de Grocheio contains a few remarks that may pertain to trouvere songs.

    “Among the treatises dealing with music, only the one by Johannes de Grocheio contains a few remarks that may pertain to trouvere songs.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Findingnone given
    § Recent Performances and Recordings

    In current practice many singers make the duration of individual pitches quite unequal.

    “In current practice many singers make the duration of individual pitches quite unequal.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingreasoning
    § Dancing Songs

    For songs with French texts, fate has been more considerate, but still not generous enough to provide multiple versions for many of them.

    “For songs with French texts fate has been more considerate, but still not generous enough to provide us with multiple versions for many of them.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingreasoning
    § Narrative Songs

    Beyond the frequently occurring AB AB opening, trouvère songs have relatively little repetition of entire melodic lines; in narrative songs, however, we often find three- or four-fold repetition of the very first phrase.

    “Beyond the frequently occurring AB AB opening, trouvere songs have relatively little repetition of entire melodic lines.In the narrative songs, however, we often find three-or four-fold repetition of the very first phrase”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation
    § Chromatic Alterations

    Variants among multiple versions of troubadour and trouvère songs show that changes were made in the diatonic or chromatic nature of some, but by no means many, of the melodies; still they neither reveal who made them nor whether chromatic alterations were added or deleted.

    “Beyond that, the variants among multiples versions of troubadour and trouvere songs show that changes were made in the diatonic or chromatic nature of some, but by no means many of the melodies; still they neither reveal who made them nor whether chromatic alterations were added or deleted.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given
    § Dancing Songs

    It should not surprise anyone to learn from the narratives that medieval people did dance, and did so to a song.

    “It should not surprise anyone to learn from the narratives that medieval people did dance, and (occasionally or often?) did so to a song.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Findingnone given
    § Dancing Songs

    Some late entries in Le Manuscrit du Roi, which in their form resemble the virelai, have the title danssa.

    “Some late entries in Le Manuscrit du Rot, which in their form resemble the virelai, have the title danssa.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Findingnone given
    § Instrumental Accompaniment

    It appears that some troubadours and trouvères could play instruments.

    “It appears that some troubadours and trouveres could play instruments.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Findingreasoning
    § Dancing Songs

    From some narratives we may conclude that an alternation between a soloist and others occasionally occurred in dancing songs.

    “From some narratives we may also conclude that an alternation between a soloist and others occasionally occurred in dancing songs.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingreasoning
    § Dancing Songs

    Since these are the only extant monophonic rondeaux, and since they occur in only one manuscript, we do not have much material for research on duration in their melodies.

    “Since these are the only extant monophonk rondeaux, and since they occur in only one manuscript, we do not have much material for research on duration in their melodies.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Findingcitation
    § Instrumental Accompaniment

    The author, as many scholars before him and especially Christopher Page after him, has searched in vain for information about accompaniment.

    “As many scholars must have done before me, and as especially Christopher Page did after me, I have searched in vain for information about accompaniment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites 37.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given
    § Narrative Songs

    Several attempts have been made to subdivide the large group of narrative songs into concise and easily recognizable types; style and content seem to have been the primary criteria for categorization; to some extent the form of the strophe was also considered, but the style and form of the music played no role.

    “Several attempts have been made to subdivide this large group into concise and easily recognizable types.Style and content seem to have been the primary criteria for categorization.To some extant the form of the strophe was also considered, but the style and form of the music played no role.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given
    § Instrumental Accompaniment

    The variants in the melodies are not only more numerous but also more significant than the variants in the poems.

    “As mentioned above, the variants in the melodies are not only more numerous but also more significant than the variants in the poems.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given
    § Chromatic Alterations

    The troubadour repertory is small enough that a complete survey can be made of the sharp, natural, and flat signs in the four sources involved; at the same time, it is large enough to give meaningful data.

    “The troubadour repertory is small enough that a complete survey can be made of the sharp, natural, and flat signs in the four sources involved; at the same time, it is large enough to give meaningful data.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites 35.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation
    § Dancing Songs

    The rondeaux, or rondets, by Guillaume d'Amiens are different from his chansons and from chansons by other trouvères, but no indication has been found that they have anything to do with dancing.

    “It is beyond question that the rondeaux (or the rondets, as they are called in their sole source) by Guillaume d'Amiens are different from his chansons and from chansons by other trouveres, but no indication has been found that they have anything to do with dancing.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites 31.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Findingnone given
    § Narrative Songs

    As a group, the narrative songs combine formal aspects of text and music in a manner that links them with both the trouvère song and chanson de geste.

    “As a group, the narrative songs combine formal aspects of text and music in a manner that links them with both the trouvere song and chanson de geste.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Findingcitation
    § Instrumental Accompaniment

    In the only extensive study to date of the medieval use of instruments, Page essentially confirmed what the author wrote some twenty-five years ago.

    “In the only extensive study to date of the medieval use of instruments.Page essentially confirmed what I wrote some twenty-five years ago.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites 37.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingreasoning
    § Instrumental Accompaniment

    Page went far beyond the troubadour and trouvère repertories so that we now begin to have some information on what genres actually were accompanied.

    “He went far beyond the troubadour and trouvere repertories so that we now begin to have some information on what genres actually were accompanied.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given
    § Chromatic Alterations

    We have no certainty as to how long a given sign of alteration is valid, although some indication exists that it often pertains only to the pitches on the rest of the staff on which it stands.

    “To begin with, we have no certainty as to how long a given sign of alteration is valid, although some indication exists that it often pertains only to the pitches on the rest of the staff on which it stands.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation
    § Instrumental Accompaniment

    The Middle Ages were not unacquainted with the phenomenon of accompanied song; for example, Tristan often accompanied his own singing.

    “We also know that the Middle Ages were not unacquainted with the phenomenon of accompanied song.For example, Tristan often accompanied his own singing.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites 36.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationcitation
    § Recent Performances and Recordings

    The often quoted pronouncement of Johannes de Grocheio is not the only indication that, throughout the Middle Ages, duration in plainchant was not precisely measured and may not have resembled the equalistic performance advocated by André Mocquereau and his fellow monks of Solesmes.

    “In addition, the often quoted pronouncement of Johannes de Grocheio is not the only indication that, throughout the Middle Ages, duration in plainchant was not precisely measured and may not have resembled the equalistic performance advocated by Andr6 Mocquereau and his fellow monks of Solesmes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites 25.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisenone given
    § Hendrik van der Werf

    Most research in this area has a monolithic approach, taking for granted that one type of rhythm governed either all songs in a given language or all songs of the entire medieval period.

    “In addition to the objections voiced by Kippenberg one should mention the monolithic approach as a serious weakness of most research in this area: it has been (and sometimes still is) taken for granted that one type of rhythm governed either all songs in a given language or all songs of the entire medieval period.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § The "Approximate 11 Equality of Individual Notes

    We can come reasonably close to an authentic rendition of troubadour and trouvere songs by applying the general conclusion to a specific chanson.

    “I am optimistic enough to think that we can come reasonably close to an authentic rendition of troubadour and trouvere songs by applying the general conclusion to a specific chanson.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § The "Approximate 11 Equality of Individual Notes

    The duration of a given pitch very likely varied from one performer to another and from one strophe to another.

    “And the duration of a given pitch very likely varied from one performer to another and from one strophe to another.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationown data
    § Precisely Measured Melodies

    The scribe of the Chansonnier Cangé used a semi-mensural notation, in which only the single notes, not the ligatures, appear to express mensuration.

    “the scribe of this manuscript occasionally made use of what some have considered an early form of mensural notation, but which I prefer to call a semi-mensural notation, because only the single notes, not the ligatures, appear to express mensuration.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § "Not-so-predsely Measured" Music 53

    The semi-mensural notation is the most striking consequence of this attempt to make the manuscript look like a motet collection.

    “The semi-mensural notation is the most striking consequence of this attempt.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § "Not-so-predsely Measured" Music 53

    The author is still not convinced that the Blondel de Nesle chanson was conceived and normally performed in one of the rhythmic modes known to us, but considers it likely that its pitches were measured more precisely than was usual for chansons.

    “I am still not convinced that it was conceived and normally performed in one of the rhythmic modes known to us, but still consider it likely that its pitches were measured more precisely than was usual for chansons.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Recent Performances and Recordings

    In ornate passages, this interest in unequal lengths is combined with an apparent desire to make the duration of the syllables close to equal.

    “In ornate passages this interest in unequal lengths is combined with an apparent desire to make the duration of the syllables close to equal.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisenone given
    § Multiple Versions

    Initially the songs were disseminated by word of mouth, and only in the mid thirteenth century was dissemination through writing juxtaposed against a continuing oral tradition.

    “Early in this century another explanation emerged, as literary scholars recognized that initially the songs were disseminated by word of mouth, and that only in the mid thirteenth century was dissemination through writing juxtaposed against a continuing oral tradition.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § "Not-so-predsely Measured" Music 53

    The order in which the chansons are entered may be another consequence of this attempt.

    “The order in which the chansons are entered may be another one.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Multiple Versions

    The texts of the chansons suggest that troubadour and trouvere poetry is unlikely to have appealed to the masses.

    “The texts of the chansons help us solve this riddle in that they suggest that troubadour and trouvere poetry is unlikely to have appealed to the masses.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Multiple Versions

    In an oral tradition, a person learning a song from listening would hear the A and B melodies twice as often as the X section, and thus retain the former better than the latter.

    “In an oral tradition, however, a person learning a song from listening to it would hear the A and B melodies twice as often as the X section, and thus retain the former better than the latter.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Recent Performances and Recordings

    Our desire for marked differences between religious and secular music is a relatively modern phenomenon which came about slowly well after the Middle Ages, and seems to have gained its greatest impetus during the nineteenth century.

    “Firstly, our desire for marked differences between religious and secular music is a relatively modern phenomenon which came about slowly well after the Middle Ages, and seems to have gained its greatest impetus during the nineteenth century.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation
    § Hendrik van der Werf

    Burkhard Kippenberg concluded that no logical and decisive evidence had been brought forth for any existing theory of rhythm and meter in medieval song.

    “In a book published in 1962 Burkhard Kippenberg subjected the existing theories to a thorough scrutiny and came to the conclusion that no logical and decisive evidence had been brought forth for any of them.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kippenberg, 1962

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Multiple Versions

    The dissemination of troubadour and trouvere songs is not likely to have been accomplished by footloose and unsophisticated entertainers; instead, the poems are esoteric and likely appreciated only by aficionados.

    “Their dissemination is not likely to have been accomplished by footloose and unsophisticated entertainers who eked out a living as jugglers and storytellers in city streets and town squares.Instead, the poems are rather esoteric and are likely to have been appreciated only by afficionados.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § "Not-so-predsely Measured" Music 53

    Someone involved in the compilation of the Chansonnier Cangé seems to have been interested in making it look like a motet collection, and in making its chansons look like motets.

    “Someone involved in its compilation seems to have been interested in making it look like a motet collection, and in making its chansons look tike motets.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Precisely Measured Melodies

    In the case of semi-mensural notation, it is impossible to determine how strictly the composer adhered to a given rhythmic mode.

    “In the case of semi-mensural notation it is impossible to determine how strictly the composer adhered to a given rhythmic mode.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Instrumental Accompaniment

    From a historical point of view, something is seriously wrong when a song is performed in a rhythm and with an accompaniment that obscure the words.

    “Thus, we may have an objective criterion by which to judge authenticity of present-day performances, and hold that, from a historical point of view, something is seriously wrong when a song is performed in a rhythm and with an accompaniment that obscure the words.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The poet-composers wanted their texts to be understood.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Narrative Songs

    It seems inconceivable that a chanson de geste was performed in modal rhythm or in any other alternation of long and short syllables.

    “It seems inconceivable that a chanson de geste was performed in modal rhythm or in any other alternation of long and short syllables.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Dancing Songs

    In the fourteenth century, playing with recurrent thoughts, words, sentences, melodic ideas, and phrases became stylized and standardized, and this process seems to have started before the beginning of that century.

    “In the fourteenth century these favorite features became stylized and standardized, and this process seems to have been started before the beginning of that century.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Premisenone given
    § Instrumental Accompaniment

    For a long time, it was widely accepted that the songs of the troubadours and trouvères were always performed to instrumental accompaniment.

    “For a long time, it was widely accepted that the songs of the troubadours and trouveres were always performed to instrumental accompaniment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Chromatic Alterations

    Since all large chansonniers contain at least some chromatic alterations, we can be fairly sure that troubadours and trouvères themselves did not shun them, but we do not know whether a given composer left us exclusively diatonic melodies, whether he altered a pitch frequently, or whether he seldom did so.

    “Since all large chansonniers contain at least some chromatic alterations, we can be fairly sure that troubadours and trouveres themselves did not shun them, but we do not know whether a given composer left us exclusively diatonic melodies, whether he altered a pitch frequently, or whether he seldom did so.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Instrumental Accompaniment

    The similarities and differences among multiple versions suggest that medieval singers concentrated on presenting the poetry but were rather free in their treatment of the music.

    “Perhaps one can conclude that the similarities and differences among multiple versions suggest that medieval singers concentrated on presenting the poetry but were rather free in their treatment of the music.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Dancing Songs

    The melodies of Guillaume d'Amiens's rondeaux may have been measured, but there is no reason to consider ternary meter and modal rhythm axiomatic.

    “Their melodies may have been measured, but there is no reason to consider ternary meter and modal rhythm axiomatic.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationcitation
    § Dancing Songs

    The estampie clearly is related to the Latin sequence, the German Leich, the French descort and lyric lai, none of which seem to have had anything to do with dancing.

    “A confusing factor in the study of the estampie is that it clearly is related to the Latin sequence, the German Leich, the French descort and lyric lai, none of which seem to have had anything to do with dancing.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites 27.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisenone given
    § Instrumental Accompaniment

    Instruments existed in the time of the troubadours and trouvères, and they were used.

    “We know that instruments existed in the time of the troubadours and trouveres, and obviously that they were used.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
56 of 56

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A given line in troubadour and trouvere poetry normally has a fixed number of syllables in each strophe, but there is no fixed position for accented syllables except in the rhyme and, in a limited number of poems, the caesura.

    “A given line, or verse, normally has a fixed number of syllables in each strophe of a given poem, but there is no fixed position for accented syllables in places other than the rhyme and, in a limited number of poems, the caesura.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The poet-composers wanted their texts to be understood.

    “we can safely assume that the poet-composers wanted their texts to be understood.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There are several indications that mixing modes was not uncommon.

    “As I hope to show in the near future, there are several indications that mixing modes was not uncommon.”
3 of 3

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Metadata

Authors
van der Werf, H.
Corresponding author
van der Werf, Hendrik
Venue
Performance Practice Review
Publisher
Claremont Colleges Library
Published
1988
Volume
1
Issue
1
Pages
42-60
ISSN
  • 1044-1638 (ISSN-L)
  • 2166-8205
DOI
10.5642/perfpr.198801.01.5
OpenAlex
W2052858565
Semantic Scholar
c6957bbddcf2ba216ebaf984f1428f41a590116b
Cited by
8
References
0
Citations by year
2024: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2013: 1
FWCI
0.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Performance Practice Review (publishedVersion)
  • Scholarship @ Claremont (The Claremont Colleges) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Music › Musicology and Musical Analysis
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Language and Linguistics › Medieval European Literature and History
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History › Medieval Literature and History
Keywords
medieval music, note values, troubadour songs, trouvère songs, musical notation, textual variants, medieval authors, performance practice

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

A language model drew the claims from the paper on 2026-11-10, under version 3 of the claim definition (model deepseek-v4.1-flash, prompt extract-v3).

A second model labelled each claim on 2026-11-10 (model jev-1.13-20260917, definition revision gold-guideline-v0.2).

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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