Solage: Calextone qui fut dame for Bass Clarinet Trio by James M. Guthrie Clarinet Trio - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1270954

Sources suggest that the song is a love ballad that praises the beauty and virtues of a woman named Calextone, who was a lady from the town of Arouse. The lyrics describe her as having great value and worth, and her beauty and grace are compared to smoke and mist. The composer of the song, Solage, also refers to himself in the refrain with a double meaning, using the spelling "soulage". The song is considered a representative example of French secular music from the late fourteenth century.

It is not known whether Calextone was a real person or a fictional character created by the composer. Some sources suggest that the song may have been composed for a wedding, possibly that of Jeanne de Boulogne, and that Solage may have been in the service of Gaston Fébus, compte de Foix, who had a financial interest in the marriage.

The composer of the song, Solage, was a prominent figure in the Ars subtilior movement, which was characterized by complex rhythms, intricate melodies, and highly stylized notation. The song is considered a representative example of this musical style, which flourished in France during the late medieval period.

The song's use of acrostics and double meanings in the lyrics, as well as its intricate musical structure, demonstrate the sophistication and complexity of the Ars subtilior style. Overall, "Calextone qui fut dame d'Arouse" is an important example of medieval French music and its evolution over time.