Josquin

Josquin des Prez, commonly known simply as Josquin, was a Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance, active in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the development of high Renaissance polyphony. His exact birthplace and early life remain uncertain, with estimates placing his birth around 1450 in the northern Low Countries or nearby regions. He maintained a career across Europe, holding posts at various religious and courtly institutions and working for patrons who supported the craft of sacred and secular music. He died in 1521, in Condé-sur-l’Escaut.

Josquin’s output is large and varied, including masses, motets, and secular chansons. His works are characterized by the clarity of text setting, expressive use of imagery, and fluent polyphonic writing that often employs motives and imitation across voices. He helped shape conventions of Renaissance polyphony, balancing sacred and secular styles and pushing toward greater emotional and textual integration.

During his lifetime and beyond, Josquin’s music enjoyed widespread popularity, copied and distributed across Europe. His reputation endured into the 16th century, influencing subsequent generations of composers and contributing to the central place of the Franco-Flemish school in Renaissance music.