RenaissanceJosquin des Prez
Josquin des Prez was born more than five hundred and fifty years ago in northern France.
Josquin des Prez’s life
The big moments of this life, and what was happening in the world at the same time.
A life at a glance
- 1450👶 Birth
Born around 1450–55 in what is now northern France
- 1455🌍 Meanwhile
Gutenberg prints his Bible
- 1477🎩 Careerabout age 27
Singer in René of Anjou’s chapel in Aix-en-Provence
- 1484🎩 Careerabout age 34
In the service of Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, in Milan then Rome
- 1495🎼 Workabout age 45
Ave Maria… virgo serena spreads across Europe
- 1501🌍 Meanwhile
Petrucci publishes the first printed book of music in Venice
- 1502🎼 Workabout age 52
Petrucci publishes the first printed book of Masses by a single composer — his
- 1503🌍 Meanwhile
Leonardo da Vinci begins the Mona Lisa
- 1515🎼 Workabout age 65
Missa Pange lingua, one of his last Masses
- 1517🏛️ Landmarkabout age 67
Luther launches the Reformation
- 1519🌍 Meanwhile
Magellan sets off on the first voyage around the world
- 1521🕯️ Deathabout age 71
Dies in Condé on 27 August
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Excerpts of up to 90 seconds, freely licensed recordings from Wikimedia Commons.
Once upon a time…
Josquin des Prez was born more than five hundred and fifty years ago in northern France. He became the most famous musician of his time: people admired him all over Europe, a bit like a star.
He worked for princes and for the Pope. In Rome, in the Sistine Chapel, he carved his name on a wall, like graffiti! It was found centuries later.
Josquin made the voices come in one after another with the same little tune, like when you sing a round. He paid great attention to the words: if the text is sad, the music weeps; if it is happy, it dances.
He was also one of the first musicians to have a whole book of his music printed. Thanks to printing, his music travelled very far.
Josquin des Prez’s instruments
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