Jehan Vaillant

Full biography Jehan Vaillant

Jehan Vaillant was a French composer and theorist who lived during the late medieval period, specifically from around 1360 to 1390. He was among the ars nova composers who were known for their complex rhythms and inventive harmonies. Jehan Vaillant's music is often described as rhythmically complex, and he pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in terms of dissonance and harmony during his time.

Vaillant's surviving works include sacred and secular vocal music, such as Mass movements and chansons. One of his most famous works is "Par maintes foys," which is a ballade that showcases his unique musical style. His works demonstrate a high degree of technical skill, with complex polyphonic textures and unusual rhythmic patterns and meters.

Vaillant was also a music theorist and wrote several treatises on music, including "Explanation of the Fourteen Modes," which discusses the modes or scales used in his compositions. He was one of the few composers of his time to write extensively on music theory, and his writings were highly regarded by his contemporaries.

Overall, Jehan Vaillant was an important composer and theorist during the late medieval period who played a significant role in the development of ars nova music. His music was often complex and innovative, and he was known for pushing the boundaries of traditional musical practices. Today, his works continue to be studied and performed by musicians and scholars interested in the music of the late medieval period.