Volume 25, Number 2 · February 23, 1978
The First Universal Composer
By Robert Craft
Josquin des Prez: Proceedings of the International Festival Conference, Lincoln Center, June 21-25, 1971
edited by E.E. Lowinsky, in collaboration with Bonnie J. Blackburn
Oxford University Press, 728 pp., $52.00
Josquin Desprez: Missa La Sol Fa Re Mi and Motets, Chansons, and Instrumental Music
capella antiqua (München), conducted by Konrad Ruhland. two records, Philips 6775 005
With the publication of E.E. Lowinsky's Josquin des Prez and the release of excellent recorded performances of the 'Lamentations of David,' the stature of Josquin (c. 1440-1521) as the first universal composer can now be recognized by the general audience. That his contemporaries were aware of his greatness is attested by the large numbers of manuscript copies of his works found in libraries from Czechoslovakia to Portugal, Uppsala to Palermo, and by the preponderance of his works in the first volumes of music ever printed (seventeen of his Masses alone in three books: Venice, 1502, 1504, 1514). His popularity even survived the Schism, for he seems to have been a favorite composer of His Catholic Majesty, the Emperor Charles V, and definitely was one of Martin Luther.
Review, 3190 words
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