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Josquin des Prez, or simply Josquin, was a French composer <\/a><\/strong>and the best-recognised figure of the Franco-Flemish School of composition. Josquin\u2019s reputation as the greatest Renaissance<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Very little is known about Josquin\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Scholars are more certain about Josquin\u2019s date of death: August 27 1521. He died in Cond\u00e9-sur-l\u2019Escaut, where he had been provost of the collegiate church of Notre Dame since 1504.<\/p>\n Josquin\u2019s compositions encompass both secular and sacred works and represent a cross-section of the period\u2019s 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<\/a><\/strong>, 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<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n He also contributed to the development of the motet-chanson, a hybrid song form which combines secular and sacred choral features.<\/p>\n Generally speaking, nearly of Josquin\u2019s repertoire receives popular attention. However, a number of individual pieces stand out as the best of the composer\u2019s creativity, remaining as readily in-demand for performances today as they did in the 15th century.<\/p>\n While his Miserere<\/em> remains the Renaissance period\u2019s most revered setting of Psalm 50, the Ave Maria<\/a><\/strong>\u2026 Virgo serena<\/em> steals the top spot as Josquin\u2019s most famous and influential motet.<\/p>\nWhen was Josquin des Prez born?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Which works is Josquin des Prez most famous for?<\/strong><\/h2>\n