From Chanson to Credo: A Journey Without Barlines This barless transcription of Pierre Sandrin’s Doulce Memoire for ATTB recorders is part of a broader exploration of this iconic chanson and its expressive legacy. Presented at the Carolina Mountain Recorder Society, the project traced the emotional and structural transformation of Doulce Memoire across five distinct settings: the original chanson by Sandrin; a reflective duet by Pierre de Manchicourt; a graceful trio by Josquin Baston; the philosophical reply Fini le Bien by an anonymous composer; and Orlando di Lasso’s sacred reimagining in mass form.

Sandrin’s chanson, posted here, stands out for its emotional seriousness and introspective tone. First printed in 1538, it continued to circulate through manuscripts and arrangements until the 1630s—an unusually long life for a single song. Its haunting lyricism inspired generations of composers, resulting in vocal settings, parody masses, and instrumental arrangements across Europe. The opening lines—“Sweet memory, present in my heart, / Because of you I languish in sorrow…”—frame a speaker governed by longing and emotional vulnerability.

The four related transcriptions mentioned above—Manchicourt’s duet, Baston’s trio, the anonymous reply, and Lasso’s mass—can be found on the ARS website by entering “barless” in the Keyword box. This collection invites modern ensembles to engage not only with historical repertoire, but with the emotional testimony embedded in its evolving musical language. For those new to playing barless music, you may wish to consult my article, “How to Play Barless Renaissance Music,” in the July 2025 issue of ARS NOVA.