Grimace (also Grymace or Grimache) was a French composer active in the mid-to-late 14th century.
Grimace was active in the period of music history known as the ars nova and was probably a contemporary of Guillaume de Machaut, since his compositions lack the complicated rhythms of the Ars subtilior (Günther 2007). Grimace's birth and death dates are not known; little is known about him outside of attributions in medieval music manuscripts. Five works are attributed to him securely; two doubtful attributions have been proposed based on stylistic similarities. His virelai, A l'arme, A l'arme, is his most often performed work in modern times.
The works attributed to Grimace are:
- Dedens mon cuer (ballade)
- Des que buisson (ballade)
- Se Zephirus/Se Jupiter (ballade)
- Je voy ennui (rondeau)
- A l’arme/A l’arme/Tru tru (virelai)
Doubtful works:
- C’estoit ma douce (virelai)
- Rescoés: Horrible feu d’ardent desir/Rescoés: Le feu de mon loyal servant (virelai)
Famous quotes containing the word grimace:
“We New Yorkers see more death and violence than most soldiers do, grow a thick chitin on our backs, grimace like a rat and learn to do a disappearing act. Long ago we outgrew the need to be blowhards about our masculinity; we leave that to the Alaskans and Texans, who have more time for it.”
—Edward Hoagland (b. 1932)