Il est bel et bon - Pierre Passereau 1509 – 1547

[Andy Boden]

Probably the best known piece by the French Renaissance composer, Pierre Passereau, this Chanson has been arranged for mandolin quartet.

The chanson depicts two housewives chatting about their husbands. One is telling how wonderful her husband is - he even feeds the chickens ! About half way through we can hear the chickens clucking (or is it the housewives?)

I used to enjoy singing this, and now equally enjoy playing it.

I have raised the pitch by a minor 3rd to make it fall easily under the fingers and to bring it into range so that the mandola part could be replaced by a third mandolin, and the guitar part is playable on an 8ve mandola



Score and parts available on my web page

http://www.andyboden.com/early.html

A good version of the chanson in its original form can be heard on youtube performed by the Kings Singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3eXRCZSz0I