Latin Poetry and Conductus Rhythm in Medieval France

Book excerpt: Conductus repertory of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries comes under re-investigation in this study. Christopher Page seeks to revise certain opinions about medieval Latin poetry which some exponents of modal theory have entertained. The book develops a view that spoken performances and sung performances of this repertory had their own distinct traditions, and that the most acceptable method of transcription for many conducti is a rhythmically neutral one which signals the wide range of possible rhythmic solutions to performance of these songs.