By Lucy Chaudhuri

Published: Saturday, 01 October 2022 at 12:00 am


Who is Josquin des Prez?

Josquin des Prez, or simply Josquin, was a French composer and the best-recognised figure of the Franco-Flemish School of composition. Josquin’s reputation as the greatest Renaissance composer in Europe began in his lifetime and is yet to diminish. He is credited with being a true innovator of the period, pioneering its polyphonic style of choral music.

When was Josquin des Prez born?

Very little is known about Josquin’s early life. Scholars estimate that he was born in Picardy around 1450 but it possibly have been as late as 1455. While some suggest he was born in Burgundy or modern-day Belgium, making him Franco-Flemish, surviving documents show that he was, at least, a self-proclaimed Frenchman. His name has been given a variety of different spellings, including his speculated original name of Josquin Lebloitte dit Desprez, from which the familiar Josquin de Prez evolved.

When did Josquin des Prez die?

Scholars are more certain about Josquin’s date of death: August 27 1521. He died in Condé-sur-l’Escaut, where he had been provost of the collegiate church of Notre Dame since 1504.

What did Josquin des Prez compose?

Josquin’s compositions encompass both secular and sacred works and represent a cross-section of the period’s most popular forms. His secular works included chansons and Italian frattole, the former written for three to six voices. At the other end of the spectrum, Josquin produced sacred masses and motets, both of which were usually for four equal voices. Many of his masses were based on pre-existing melodies accompanied by varying degrees of free composition for the different voice parts.

He also contributed to the development of the motet-chanson, a hybrid song form which combines secular and sacred choral features.

Which works is Josquin des Prez most famous for?

Generally speaking, nearly of Josquin’s repertoire receives popular attention. However, a number of individual pieces stand out as the best of the composer’s creativity, remaining as readily in-demand for performances today as they did in the 15th century.

While his Miserere remains the Renaissance period’s most revered setting of Psalm 50, the Ave Maria… Virgo serena steals the top spot as Josquin’s most famous and influential motet.