Josquin des Prez

1450 - 1521 AD

Another Franco-Flemish composer, Josquin des Prez (zhos-kha day phray) is the first real master of Renaissance polyphony, and achieved renown as such even during his lifetime.

Born in Burgundy, Josquin became a singer in Aix-en-Provence and later moved to Paris. In 1483, he worked for the wealthy Sforza family in Milan. From there, he also visited Rome, where he eventually worked under Pope Innocent VIII and Pope Alexander VI (and graffitied his name onto the wall of the Sistine Chapel where it was discovered in 1998.)

He returned to Milan and then eventually to France, where he worked for King Louis XII. The king grew fond of him, and at one point asked him to write a piece in which the monarch could sing. Knowing the king had no musical talent whatsoever, he drew some inspiration from the drone organum style, writing a quartet in which the tenor remained on a single pitch for the entire work. Fortunately, the king was amused and rewarded the clever composer.

In 1504, he became the music director at a church in Condé-sur-l'Escaut, which he held until his death in 1521. Josquin is known for his mellifluous polyphonic writing and his work in both sacred and secular music.