English music caused a sensation for the first time at the Council of Constance (1414-1418), one of the most important turning-points of European cultural exchange. Many musicians, from church and court, were involved. The chronicler of the council, Ulrich von Richenthal, enthusiastically described the music, which was clearly new to him, as "sweet English song". No less indicative of the change of style around 1430 is the first literary and theoretical evidence. The Burgundian court poet Martin le Franc wrote about Dufay and Binchois, the first composers of the new style subject to the English influence:
“Car ilz ont nouvelle pratique / De faire frisque concordance... / Et ont prins de la contenance / Angloise et ensuy Dunstable” (For they have a new method of making fresh harmony ... and have adopted the English countenance and followed Dunstable)
La contenance angloise presents key pieces of the new repertoire from around 1430 by John Dunstaple, Leonel Power, Guillaume Dufay, Gilles Binchois and Johannes Brassart.
chant 1450 is an international vocal ensemble specialising in the sacred and secular repertoire of the 15th and 16th centuries. It was formed in summer 2003 by a group of musicians attached to the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel. Instead of focusing on individual composers, its concerts and CDs are thematic in conception, which makes for fascinating, varied programming.
