Josquin des Prez and Renaissance Polyphony

What happened

The Franco-Flemish composer Josquin des Prez brought Renaissance polyphony to a new height of expressive clarity. In masses and motets such as his Ave Maria, he wove voices together through imitation — each entering with the same melody in turn — and shaped the music closely to the meaning of the words, in a smooth, balanced style admired across Europe.

Why it matters

Josquin was the most celebrated composer of his age and a model for generations after. His command of counterpoint and word-setting defined the Renaissance ideal and marks the moment the composer became a renowned creative figure in his own right.

Sources

• University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Music of the Renaissance (Survey of Western Music, ch. 3) · Reputable source