Thierri de Soissons

(fl 1230–60). French trouvère. Four songs (R.1267, R.1978, 2063 and 2107) survive with attributions to both Raoul de Soissons and Thierri de Soissons, the former being probably correct. Whether the two men are identical, the name Thierri being an error, is the subject of debate. No ‘Thierri’ has as yet been traced among the family of the counts of Soissons, but such a relationship is perhaps not obligatory. Ascriptions to Thierri appear in F-Pn fr.845, which does not make mention of Raoul, and in F-Pa 5198, which does. The latter circumstance would argue against the presumed identity were it not for the fact that mention of Thierri occurs as part of a larger series of attributions to trouvères also presented earlier in the manuscript, precisely in the place where the recurrence of Raoul might be expected. One song attributable to Raoul (E, cuens d’Anjou, R.1154) and two ascribed to Thierri, Destrece de trop amer and Quant avril, are all dedicated to Charles, Count of Anjou. Se j’ai lonc tens presents an unusual musical structure, ABCC¹DEFC² C³ (phrase D containing some elements of C), in the setting of a poem that opens with an ABBA rhyme scheme. The disregard in Sens et raison of the pedes-plus-cauda structure in a non-repetitive musical setting is also noteworthy. The melody for Destrece de trop amer has a seldom-used final, b, located in the upper portion of a range d–e'. It would seem, however, that the number of works known under the names of the two trouvères is too few to permit firm conclusions regarding the existence of two different artistic personalities.

Sources, MS

WORKS

Edition:Trouvère Lyrics with Melodies: Complete Comparative Edition, ed. H. Tischler, CMM, cvii (1997)

(V) indicates a MS (using Schwan sigla: see Sources, ms) containing a late setting of a poem

doubtful works

BIBLIOGRAPHY

E. Winkler: Die Lieder Raouls von Soissons (Halle, 1914)

H. Petersen Dyggve: Onomastique des trouvères (Helsinki, 1934/R)

For further bibliography see Troubadours, trouvères.

THEODORE KARP