A New Spring of the World

In the 12th century, according to the famous expression of Georges Duby, a “new springtime of the world blooms, on the old Latin stock”.

The immutable social order that prevailed before the year 1000 was now shaken up by feudalism. In the south of France in the first place, castles and monasteries were built, far from the influence and the declining authority of the king or the pope. Art and culture now want to pierce the mystery of the world, explore the invisible and discipline the savagery of ancient times. All the symbolism of Romanesque sculptures shows the forces of evil, to sharpen the vigilance of men. Painting, sculpture, architecture, music, that is to say singing, then celebrate the beauty of the world. In the same regions and at exactly the same time, Romanesque art flourished and new chants developed within the generous acoustics of these new basilicas and chapels. In the domains of the great abbey of Saint-Martial de Limoges in particular, polyphony experienced its first audacious and truly exhilarating elaborations. Likewise, the earliest secular songs in our history were created by troubadours celebrating courtly love. Cantors and troubadours then demonstrate a sometimes breathtaking creativity. The joy they must have felt is obvious and vivid: they reinvent this beauty and are aware of it.