CONTRAFACTUM

Contrafactum: translation

Modern term for a piece of music where a different text is set to the notes from that originally intended; e.g. an English text might be set to an originally Latin motet. An example would be the recasting of the lines (originally in Latin) 'Now at the beginning of the day/ to God as suppliants we pray' as the following, 'Now at the dawning of the day/ We must start drinking straight away'. Later, when friars began their mission to travel and preach to people outside the church, they used popular tunes, changing the words to suit their purposes. This use of music known to the general populace was why St Francis called his followers joculatores Dei, God's minstrels. [< Lat. contrafacio = to imitate, to counterfeit]

Contrafactum: translation

(Lat. "counterfeit")

   The practice of fitting an existing vocal work with a new text. In the Middle Ages this occurred frequently with the establishment of new feasts or simply the composition of new sequence or hymnodic poetry. After the 15th century, the term almost always indicates the replacement of a secular text by a sacred one in order to create a piece suitable for devotion or liturgy. Such contrafacta are common in laude, spiritual songs of all types, and early Protestant chorales and hymns.

   See also Amalar of Metz; Lahan; Parody.