LIFE
-c 1300-1377
-single most important composer of French Ars Nova style
-was a poet, composer, canon and servant of kings
-background in sacred and secular music
-secretary to his king-travelled widely, very educated
-first composer to set the complete Mass Ordinary in polyphony (4 voice)
-one of the first composer that we have a completed edition of his written works
-single most important composer of French Ars Nova style
-was a poet, composer, canon and servant of kings
-background in sacred and secular music
-secretary to his king-travelled widely, very educated
-first composer to set the complete Mass Ordinary in polyphony (4 voice)
-one of the first composer that we have a completed edition of his written works
STYLE
-used both the monophonic styles of the trouveres and polyphonic style of the church
-longer and more complex works than Ars Antiqua style
-wrote many strophic motets
-made the top part the more important voice by conmposing the melody first and then the lower voices (vs cantus firmus first)
-variety of harmony intervals, mix of hollow perfect intervals and 3rds and 6ths
-innovative in his use of 14th Century rhythmic complexity: syncopation, isorhythm (varying melody over rhythmic ostinato), hocket
-longer and more complex works than Ars Antiqua style
-wrote many strophic motets
-made the top part the more important voice by conmposing the melody first and then the lower voices (vs cantus firmus first)
-variety of harmony intervals, mix of hollow perfect intervals and 3rds and 6ths
-innovative in his use of 14th Century rhythmic complexity: syncopation, isorhythm (varying melody over rhythmic ostinato), hocket
WORKS
- ~42 ballades
-23 French Motets (instead of Latin)
-chansons
-*composed the first complete polyphonic setting of the Mass Ordinary Messe De Nostre Dame
-23 French Motets (instead of Latin)
-chansons
-*composed the first complete polyphonic setting of the Mass Ordinary Messe De Nostre Dame