April 14, 2014.Ockeghem.Johannes Ockeghem was one of the greatest composers of the Franco-Flemish school, and, therefore, one of the greatest composers of the early Renaissance, as Burgundians dominated the European musical scene in the 15thcentury.The date of Ockeghem’s birth is very much in doubt, some researchers suggest 1410, other – 1425.He was probably born in the town of Saint-Ghislain, not far from Mons, the capital of the county of Hainaut.Two famous composers, Gilles Binchois some years earlier and Orlando di Lasso a century later were born in Mons.It’s possible that Ockenghem studied with Binchois, and it’s even more probable that they met at the Burgundian court later on.In 1443 Ockeghem was a chorister in Antwerp, and between 1446 and 1448 served at the court of Charles I, Duke of Bourbon.The dukes were of an old noble family that would eventually rule all of France (king Louis XIV was a Bourbon), but at the time of Ockeghem the French kings came from the House of Valois.Ockeghem would serve them as well: he moved to Paris around 1452 and was hired as a singer at the court of King Charles VII (according to contemporaries, Ockeghem had a beautiful bass voice).Several years later he was given the title of Maistre de chapelle de chant du roy.He also became a canon of the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris.In 1460 Gilles Binchois died in Soignies and Ockeghem wrote a “Déploration” (Lamentation) on his death.You can listen to it hear.The Laudantes Consort is led by Guy Janssens.
After the death of Charles in 1461, Ockeghem continued at the court of his son, King Louis XI.By 1475 the One Hundred Year’s War was over.Louis XI signed a treaty with the English and went to battle his other sworn enemy, the Burgundians.Two years later Charles the Bold, the Duke of Burgundy, was killed in a battle, and Louis XI took possession of many of the Duchy’s territories, including Burgundy itself.Lois XI died in 1483; Ockeghem continued at the court of Charles VIII, but eventually left Paris.He spent some time in Bruges and then went to Tours, where he held a prestigious position of the treasurer of the St.-Martin Cathedral.He died in Tours in 1497.Many “laments” were composed at his death, just as he did when Binchois died.The most famous of these funeral chansons was written by Josquin des Prez.You can listen to it hear, in the performance by Laudantes Consort with Guy Janssens.
Compared to his predecessors, Guillaume Dufay, John Dunstaple or Gilles Binchois, Ockeghem’s textures seem to be richer and more sonorous.He wasn’t a very prolific composer: his extant output consists of 14 masses, 10 motets, and several chansons.Here’sKyrie from his L'homme armé Mass.It’s preceded by the famous tune itself, which is later user throughout the mass, usually in the tenor part and slow development, so it’s not easy to hear it directly.Oxford Camerata is lead by Jeremy Summerly.And hear’s an amazing motet Deo gratias, for four nine-part choruses – thirty-six parts altogether, in a virtuoso performance by the Huelgas Ensemble.It’s lead by Paul van Nevel.
The anonymous picture above is often considered a portrait of Ockeghem with members of the choir.He’s the one wearing the glasses!
Ockeghem 2014
April 14, 2014. Ockeghem. Johannes Ockeghem was one of the greatest composers of the Franco-Flemish school, and, therefore, one of the greatest composers of the early Renaissance, as Burgundians dominated the European musical scene in the 15th
century. The date of Ockeghem’s birth is very much in doubt, some researchers suggest 1410, other – 1425. He was probably born in the town of Saint-Ghislain, not far from Mons, the capital of the county of Hainaut. Two famous composers, Gilles Binchois some years earlier and Orlando di Lasso a century later were born in Mons. It’s possible that Ockenghem studied with Binchois, and it’s even more probable that they met at the Burgundian court later on. In 1443 Ockeghem was a chorister in Antwerp, and between 1446 and 1448 served at the court of Charles I, Duke of Bourbon. The dukes were of an old noble family that would eventually rule all of France (king Louis XIV was a Bourbon), but at the time of Ockeghem the French kings came from the House of Valois. Ockeghem would serve them as well: he moved to Paris around 1452 and was hired as a singer at the court of King Charles VII (according to contemporaries, Ockeghem had a beautiful bass voice). Several years later he was given the title of Maistre de chapelle de chant du roy. He also became a canon of the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. In 1460 Gilles Binchois died in Soignies and Ockeghem wrote a “Déploration” (Lamentation) on his death. You can listen to it hear. The Laudantes Consort is led by Guy Janssens.
After the death of Charles in 1461, Ockeghem continued at the court of his son, King Louis XI. By 1475 the One Hundred Year’s War was over. Louis XI signed a treaty with the English and went to battle his other sworn enemy, the Burgundians. Two years later Charles the Bold, the Duke of Burgundy, was killed in a battle, and Louis XI took possession of many of the Duchy’s territories, including Burgundy itself. Lois XI died in 1483; Ockeghem continued at the court of Charles VIII, but eventually left Paris. He spent some time in Bruges and then went to Tours, where he held a prestigious position of the treasurer of the St.-Martin Cathedral. He died in Tours in 1497. Many “laments” were composed at his death, just as he did when Binchois died. The most famous of these funeral chansons was written by Josquin des Prez. You can listen to it hear, in the performance by Laudantes Consort with Guy Janssens.
Compared to his predecessors, Guillaume Dufay, John Dunstaple or Gilles Binchois, Ockeghem’s textures seem to be richer and more sonorous. He wasn’t a very prolific composer: his extant output consists of 14 masses, 10 motets, and several chansons. Here’s Kyrie from his L'homme armé Mass. It’s preceded by the famous tune itself, which is later user throughout the mass, usually in the tenor part and slow development, so it’s not easy to hear it directly. Oxford Camerata is lead by Jeremy Summerly. And hear’s an amazing motet Deo gratias, for four nine-part choruses – thirty-six parts altogether, in a virtuoso performance by the Huelgas Ensemble. It’s lead by Paul van Nevel.
The anonymous picture above is often considered a portrait of Ockeghem with members of the choir. He’s the one wearing the glasses!