Josquin des Prez
Master of Renaissance polyphony
Luther called him 'the master of the notes.' His masses and motets achieve a perfection of vocal polyphony — expressive, lucid, architecturally balanced — that made him the most famous composer of the Renaissance.
Key works
- Missa Pange Lingua~1515— Summit of Renaissance mass composition
- Ave Maria...virgo serena~1485— The most famous motet of the era