One chanson, infinite faces: Pierre Sandrin’s Doulce mémoire conquered 16th-century Europe. Cappella Mariana and Capriccio Stravagante reveal how this hit transformed from a worldly French chanson into the Latin Mass that Cipriano de Rore crafted from the same base material. Between the Mass movements, instrumental variations shine through cornetto, recorder, viol, and harpsichord. One thing is certain: no one leaves without an earworm.

Pierre Sandrin
Doulce mémoire
from La paragon des chansons, livre I, Paris 1538

Cipriano de Rore
Missa Doulce mémoire
Kyrie
Gloria

Three variations on Doulce mémoire

Cipriano de Rore
Missa Doulce mémoire
Credo

Three variations on Doulce mémoire

Cipriano de Rore
Missa Doulce mémoire
Sanctus
Benedictus
Agnus Dei