Celer ne puis

This French secular chanson for SATB choir explores the overwhelming power of beauty and desire. The text speaks of an inability to hide or deceive the burning will to serve the beloved, whose beauty compels the singer's heart to choose them above all others. The composer Ebran captures this intense devotion in four-part harmony, characteristic of Renaissance chansons. The setting offers a rich opportunity for expressive interpretation, allowing the choir to convey the passion and surrender inherent in the text through nuanced dynamics and phrasing. It is a fine example of the genre, suitable for a varied concert programme.