virelai

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virelai (chanson balladée). Medieval Fr. song, probably of Sp. origin, consisting of refrain alternating with (usually) 3 stanzas. Est. as common Fr. poetic and mus. form by Machaut; continued in use throughout 15th cent. (by Du Fay, Ockeghem, and Busnois). The word derives from old Fr. virer, to turn or twist, thus suggesting a dance origin.

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