In Memoriam: Commemorating the 600th birthday of Ockeghem
​and the 500th anniversary of the death of Josquin des Prez

This program of early Renaissance choral music celebrates two giants of the Franco-Flemish School of composers: Johannes Ockeghem, born sometime around 1421 was a leading composer in the second half of the 15th Century and Josquin des Prez, his student, was perhaps the most famous of all composers of this period. Josquin died in 1521.

The program features Ockeghem's Missa pro defunctis (Mass for the Dead), one of the earliest instances of a Requiem mass in music history. Gorgeous sonorities and stark medieval harmonies make this rarely performed piece a memorable experience for any audience. The other major piece is Josquin's Missa Pange Lingua, perhaps his most well-known mass setting. Based on the plainsong chant Pange Lingua, it makes use of the Phrygian mode, resulting in a solemn tonality combined with the incredible energy of Josquin's imitative counterpoint. The final piece on the program is Josquin's Déploration de Johannes Ockeghem (Lament on the death of Ockeghem), written in tribute to his teacher upon his passing in 1497.

In addition to commemorating these composers, our theme this year also honors the many in our community and around the world who have died and suffered in the COVID-19 pandemic. This timeless music is a balm for the soul in this difficult time.

View this concert at ORCA Media by following this link:
​https://www.orcamedia.net/show/commemorating-600th-birthday-ockeghem-and-500th-anniversary-death-josquin-des-prez