Summary of Unsatisfyingly sweet: Josquin's Mille Regretz

00:00:00 - 00:15:00

Josquin's Mille Regretz is a popular song from the 1500s that is often used as the basis for parody or imitation masses. The text of the song speaks of regret for abandoning a loved one, and the music is in the Phrygian mode, which is appropriate for a lamentation. Some versions of the song end with a minor chord, which can create a feeling of disappointment. However, various 16th century arrangements show a preference for adding musica ficta (false notes) to the melody to make the chord more satisfying.

• 00:00:00 The text of Josquin's Mille Regretz speaks of a thousand regrets for abandoning a loved one. The music is in the Phrygian mode and appropriate for a lamentation, with optional additions of accidentals not originally written in the score.
• 00:05:00 The video discusses how Josquin's Mille Regretz does not follow the typical rules of musica ficta, and how this can create a feeling of disappointment. The various voices in the song are used to create a variety of emotions, including sadness and pain. The song ultimately ends with a sad, minor-sounding chord.
• 00:10:00 Josquin's "Mille Regretz" is a popular song from the 1500s, but some versions of the song call for a minor chord at the end that is not satisfying to the ear. Various 16th century arrangements show a preference for adding musica ficta (false notes) to the melody to make the chord more satisfying.
• 00:15:00 Josquin's Mille Regretz is a popular composition, often used as a basis for parody masses or imitation masses. In this particular example, a Catholic mass is based on the music of Mille Regretz. Emma-Lisa Roux demonstrates the composition technique in a video.