What are the formes fixes?

Welcome back to Between the Barlines! Today we are going to learn about one of the last concepts in medieval music that ultimately helps us transition to the Renaissance. This episode is all about the French “formes fixes.” The formes fixes—which translates from French as "fixed forms"—were a set of structured poetic and musical forms popular in France between the 13th and 15th centuries. These forms include the ballade, virelai, and rondeau.

Links to examples of formes fixes:

Ballade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyGhW9JKOz8

Virelai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffzdT8bbewo

Rondeau: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8UTiR7nlVU