Josquin Despres (Composer)

Born: c. 1450, County of Hainaut, Holy Roman Empire

Died: 27th August 1521, Conde sur L'Escaut, France

Nationality: French

Josquin des Prez often referred to simply as Josquin, was a French composer of the Renaissance. He was the most famous European composer between Guillaume Dufay and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and is usually considered to be the central figure of the Franco-Flemish School. Josquin is widely considered the first master of the high Renaissance style of polyphonic vocal music that was emerging during his lifetime.

During the 16th century, Josquin acquired the reputation of the greatest composer of the age, his mastery of technique and expression universally imitated and admired. Writers as diverse as Baldassare Castiglione and Martin Luther wrote about his reputation and fame, with Luther declaring that "he is the master of the notes.

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Interview, Owen Rees on Josquin and his legacy

17th February 2020

David talks to conductor and musicologist Owen Rees about his latest album with Contrapunctus, exploring the impact of Josquin on Spanish polyphony.

Interview, Peter Phillips on Josquin and Bauldeweyn

26th October 2019

Peter Phillips discusses the penultimate volume in the Tallis Scholars's unprecedented complete set of Josquin Masses, which pairs Josquin's late Missa Mater Patris with the disputed Missa Da pacem.

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