Josquin Des Prez Research Paper

Josquin des Prez was a French composer of the Renaissance Era. The place and date of his birth is uncertain, and many documents of his life has parts missing. However, what is certain is that he was known by many as one of the greatest composers of the 16th century. Josquin is probably of French and Flemish ethnicity. He sang for the courts of Rene I of Anjou and Duke Galeazzo Maria Sforza of Milan. Josquin performed for the papal chapel. He was even choirmaster for Duke Ercole I of Ferrara. Perhaps the best way to describe the talent and skill of Josquin des Prez can be summed up in a quote by Martin Luther calling Josquin “master of the notes, which must do as he wishes; other composers must do as the notes wish.” It is believed that Josquin was born in 1450 or between 1450 to 1455, although nobody truly knows this for sure. It is also believed that Josquin was either born in France or Hainaut, which is modern-day …show more content…
He asked on June 19, 1484 to be a priest without being ordained in the church of Saint Aubin in the diocese of Berlin. He also became chaplain and member of the household of Cardinal Ascanio Sforza. He returned to Milan in January and February 1489, where he witnessed some of his works in the 1480’s seems to be reflected on the Milaness styles and practices. His motet-cycle Vultum tuum deprecabuntur seems to be based on motetti missales, or motets that are substitute for individual sections of the Mass. On June 1489, Josquin joined the papal chapel. The amount of time that he was there is unknown due to accounts from 1495 to 1500 are lost. What is known is that he took the time to pursue benefices like his other colleagues. He composed Domine, nonsecundum, a tract for Ash Wednesday set in polyphony. He also composed stanzas from the hymns Ave maris stella and Nardi Maria pistici, and may have created his Illibata Dei virgo nuix pistici around this time as