JOSQUIN DES PREZ c1440 -
xxxxxJosquin des Prez, regarded by many as the most influential composer of the Renaissance period, was probably born in the Hainaut region of modern Belgium and received his training at Cambrai. During a distinguished career, he was a singer at Milan cathedral, and was in the service of the Sforza family until he became a papal singer in Rome in 1486, remaining there for six years. It is likely that he also worked for some time in the Chapel Royal of Louis XII of France and at Cambrai cathedral. It is known that he travelled to France, Italy and the Low Countries in the opening years of the 16th Century. He returned to Hainault in May 1504 and remained there for the rest of his life, serving as provost of the church at Condé.
xxxxxHe composed twenty masses, all attesting to his mastery of the varied techniques of his day, and his secular compositions included some seventy multi-
xxxxxIncidentally, worthy of mention here is the Italian music printer Ottaviano Petrucci (1466-
xxxxxJosquin des Prez, one of the most influential composers of the Renaissance period, was born in modern Belgium. He travelled to France, Italy and the Low Countries during his career. From 1486 to 1492 he was a papal singer in Rome. His compositions included 20 masses and 70 multi-
Acknowledgement
Josquin des Prez: possibly a portrait by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-
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