Josquin, the Undead: Laments, Deplorations & Dances of Death

Featuring

Björn Schmelzer
Graindelavoix
Nicolas Gombert
Josquin des Prez
Jean Lebrun
Hieronymus Vinders

Benedictus Appenzeller

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Interpretation

The ensemble Graindelavoix approaches historical repertoire with an 'anti-historicist' philosophy, seeking to articulate the profound antagonisms of the era rather than strictly adhering to supposed 'common sense'.

Compositional Technique

In his late style, Josquin Desprez (c.1450-1521) used specific French poetry like lamentations and tragicomic love songs, often employing canons and simulated canons in his compositions.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Josquin Desprez (c.1450-1521) was obsessed with themes of death, decay, regret, and melancholy, which he expressed through compositions featuring strong repetition.

Composition History

Many of the Josquin Desprez (c.1450-1521) chansons in Tielman Susato's (Antwerp-based publisher) 1545 collection were either invented or heavily arranged, despite being presented as Josquin's.

Historical Context

Martin Luther (1483-1546), the German professor of theology and seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation, considered Josquin Desprez (c.1450-1521) his favorite composer.

Compositional Technique

Josquin Desprez (c.1450-1521) elevated repetition to a musical principle, making it his compositional signature, and scholars have noted a 'musical repetition compulsion' throughout his work.