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

Lasso’s mass, posted here, offers a sacred reimagining of Doulce Mémoire, weaving the chanson’s expressive intimacy into liturgical form. The four related transcriptions mentioned above—Sandrin’s original chanson, Manchicourt’s duet, Baston’s trio, and the anonymous reply Fini le Bien—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.