Les Bouffons by Jean d Estrees (16th century) Burgundy, the mostly French-speaking area adjacent to and east of France, was the musical center of Europe in the early and middle 15th century. Many of the most famous musicians in Europe either came from Burgundy, or went to study with composers there; in addition there was …
Mille Regretz by Josquin des Prez (1450-1455) Josquin des Prez, often referred to simply as Josquin, was a Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance. Josquin is widely considered by music scholars to be the first master of the high Renaissance style of polyphonic vocal music that was emerging during his lifetime.
Basse Danse la Roque by Pierre Attaingnant (1494-1552) Pierre Attaingnant was a French music printer, active in Paris. Attaingnant is considered to be first large-scale publisher of single-impression movable type for music-printing, thus making it possible to print faster and cheaper than predecessors such as Ottaviano Petrucci.
Almain by Richard Allison (1560-1610) Richard Allison was an English composer. He wrote de la Tromba, a fine broken consort piece which has several professional recordings and first became well known due to the Julian Bream Consort.
There Were Three Razens by Thomas Ravenscroft (1582-1635) Thomas Ravenscroft was an English composer, theorist and editor, notable as a composer of rounds and catches, and especially for compiling collections of British folk music. Ravenscroft’s principal contributions are his collections of folk music, including catches, rounds, street cries, vendor songs, “freeman’s songs” and other anonymous …
Ah Robyn, Gentle Robyn by William Cornyshe (1465-1523) William Cornyshe was a noted composer, playwright, actor and pageant master (and, curiously , on occasion, provider of guttering, paving, and even sanitary conveniences) about the court of Henry VIII. In some of these varied and useful capacities he served his master at the Field of the …
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Balleto by Jean Babtiste Besard (1567-1617) Although Jean Babtiste Besard was born to a family of some means and noble lineage, he led an extremely active life as a lutenist, composer, teacher, lawyer and medical doctor. His noteworthy treatise on playing the lute, entitled De modo, was included in both of these collections. John Dowland’s …
Branle de la Cornemuse by Robert Ballard (1572-1575) Robert Ballard was a prominent French lutenist and composer. From 1612 he entered the service of the French Regent, Maria de Medici, and was tutor to the young King Louis XIII, becoming a lutenist and composer at the royal court in 1618. He published two books of …
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Branle de Village by Robert Ballard (1572-1575) Robert Ballard was a prominent French lutenist and composer. From 1612 he entered the service of the French Regent, Maria de Medici, and was tutor to the young King Louis XIII, becoming a lutenist and composer at the royal court in 1618. He published two books of lute …
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Pastime With Good Company by Henry VIII (1491-1547) Henry VIII was born on June 28, 1491, at Greenwich Palace. He was a precocious student; he learned Latin, Spanish, French, and Italian and studied mathematics, music, and theology. He became an accomplished musician and played the lute, organ, and harpsichord. He composed hymns, ballads, and two …
