He was not an innovator, with the exception of a few late works, and wrote within a stable tradition. He was one of the last composers to make use of mediaeval techniques such as isorhythm, but one of the first to use the harmonies, phrasing, and expressive melodies characteristic of the early Renaissance. His compositions within the larger genres - masses, motets, and chansons - are mostly similar to each other; his renown is largely due to what was perceived as his perfect control of the forms in which he worked, as well as his gift for memorable and singable melody. During the fifteenth century he was universally regarded as the greatest composer of the time, and that belief has largely persisted to the present day. Dufay, who wrote mostly church music, was a priest. His most famous motet is probably Nuper rosarum flores composed for the consecration of the cathedral of Florence in 1436.
Nuper rosarum flores
Guillaume Dufay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maumeru da gale kota ende
Pepin gisong gasong
Le le luk ele regin ha 2 x
La le le luk sila sol
Mi fa mi fa sol
Rebing mude mi
Do do do do mi do mi do gemu fa mi re
ele.le.lee.le
la le le luk sila sol
mi fa mi fa so
le le tiding fa fa
Rebing mude mi
Do do do do mi do mi do gemu fa mi re (MMM... manis)
ulang rgkap 1 2
Putar ke kiri e...
Nona manis putarlah kekiri 4x dan kekiri 4x manis e...
Sekarang kanan e...
Nona manis putarlah ke kanan 4x dan kekanan4x manis e...
The lyrics to Guillaume Dufay's song Nuper Rosarum Flores may seem nonsensical, but they are actually a form of medieval dance music called a ballade. The lyrics are in the form of a refrain and couplets, with the refrain being "Gemu Fa Mi Re Putar Kiri Putar Kanan" which roughly translates to "spin to the left, spin to the right."
The couplets are a mix of syllables and nonsense words, with occasional phrases in Indonesian. The meaning of the song is not clear, as it may have been intended purely as a dance tune without any deeper meaning.
The use of Indonesian words in the song is an interesting feature, as Guillaume Dufay was a European composer who likely had no personal experience with Indonesian culture. It is possible that the use of Indonesian was meant to evoke a sense of exoticism and mystery, as European traders and explorers were just beginning to encounter and be fascinated by the cultures of Southeast Asia.
Line by Line Meaning
Gemu Fa Mi Re Putar Kiri Putar Kanan
Sweetheart, move to the left and then to the right
Maumeru da gale kota ende
A charming lady in the fort
Pepin gisong gasong
Jumping and swaying
Le le luk ele regin ha 2 x
Sing the praises and the glories of the queen
La le le luk sila sol
With music and with sounds so whole
Mi fa mi fa sol
Joyful rhythms that console
Le le tiding fa fa
Singing chants without a flaw
Rebing mude mi
Sounding like a hymn and more
Do do do do mi do mi do gemu fa mi re
Music that makes us dance and sing
ele.le.lee.le
la le le luk sila sol
With music and with sounds so whole
mi fa mi fa so
Joyful rhythms that console
le le tiding fa fa
Singing chants without a flaw
Rebing mude mi
Sounding like a hymn and more
Do do do do mi do mi do gemu fa mi re (MMM... manis)
Music that makes us dance and sing (Oh, how sweet!)
ulang rgkap 1 2
Putar ke kiri e...
Turn to the left...
Nona manis putarlah kekiri 4x dan kekiri 4x manis e...
Dear sweet lady, turn left four times and then four times again, so sweet...
Sekarang kanan e...
Now turn to the right...
Nona manis putarlah ke kanan 4x dan kekanan4x manis e...
Dear sweet lady, turn right four times and then four times again, so sweet...
Contributed by Elizabeth H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Thomas Wikman
The original performance of this piece in Santa Maria del Fiore employed 120 musicians. It must have been quite a sound!
Hannes Heinz
120?
Where did you get these informations?
Ronnie
Wish someone would finance that today!
Matt H
I listen to this as I fall asleep often. So peaceful and relaxing.
Juvenal Balestrini
Increible que esto haya sido compuesto exactamente en función de las medidas de diferentes partes de la catedral, incluidas las de la cupula.
Sean Christopher Synthesizers
What a beautiful piece!
Edward
Ahmed-Gaspar of Constantinople The chorus is accompanied with a small sackbut choir and an organ.
Industrial engineer 3
A refreshing motet. Interesting the history of it. Oh! My god the brass. What clearness!!. Thank you!!.
Doug O
One of the greats and written for the consecration of Florence cathedral
lola
magnifique :)