In the Middle Ages, the Netherlands played a very prominent role in European musical life. By “Netherlands”, we mean the so-called Low Countries, the region along the North Sea which includes the present-day Netherlands as well as Belgium. Both countries formed one whole which, in turn, was part of the Burgundian realm. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Dutch composers from the southern Netherlands occupied positions of importance in the music ensembles of monarchs and princes and also as leading figures in the choirs of many European cathedrals. The music they produced is known as the Dutch School, and the composers gained fame as creators of impressive contrapuntal choral works on religious texts. But in this series, we present them also as composers of secular music, including songs and dances.
In this fourth programme of the series, we hear the music of two of the giants of 15th century European music: Johannes Ockeghem and the great Josquin Des Prez. Some composers, like Jacob Obrecht and Petrus de la Rue, worked at the Burgundian court but were well known throughout Europe. Johannes Ockeghem became master of the king’s music at the courts of King Louis XI and Charles VI of France, and Josquin spent most of his life in Italy.
Presenter: Robert Haslach
Producers: Dr. Jos Wouters (script and project coordination) and Willem G. Van Maanen
Recorded by Radio Nederland and released this recording as a set of six LPs for broadcast by our partner stations on January 27, 1976. Many of the pieces were performed by the internationally renowned early Dutch early music ensemble Syntagma Musicum.
- 01:57 Petite camusette – (Johannes Ockegem) – Studio Laren
- 03:28 Joie me fuit – (Antonius Busnois) – Studio Laren
- 07:13 Weet ghy wat mijnder jonge herte deert – (Jacob Obrecht) – Studio Laren
- 09:04 Tandernaken – (Jacob Obrecht) – Studio Laren
- 11:49 Pourquoi non – (Pierre de la Rue) – Studio Laren
- 14:44 Autant en l ‘importe le vent – (Pierre de la Rue) – Studio Laren
- 16:14 Frau Margaretsen Lied – (Pierre de la Rue) – Studio Laren
- 19:17 Adieu mes amours – (Josquin Desprez) – Studio Laren
- 20:50 Fantasiez de Joskin – (Josquin Desprez) – Studio Laren