Johannes Ockeghem

About Johannes Ockeghem

Who is it?: Music Composer, Choirmaster, Singer
Birth Year: 1410
Birth Place: Saint-Ghislain, Belgian
Notable work: Prolation Mass Requiem

Johannes Ockeghem

Johannes Ockeghem was born on 1410 in Saint-Ghislain, Belgian, is Music Composer, Choirmaster, Singer. Born as a Franco-Flemish composer, Johannes Ockeghem was a prominent musician of the early 15th century. Some of his recognized and reputed works come in the form of his 15 published masses, 19 three voice works, his famous motet chanson and antiphon works. His compositions and expertise have been compared to other eminent composers of renaissance, such as Guillaume Dufay and Josquin des Prez. He shuttled between different positions as music composer, choir master and a singer, and managed to establish a strong foothold in all three fields. Ockeghem served under three successive kings and composed many of his famous works during this period such as his well-known Requiem. He was also handed the prestigious position of ‘Maitre de chapelle’ by Louis XI for his praiseworthy contributions in the field of world music. With a stellar reputation, Ockeghem was one of the first contemporary musicians of his time.
Johannes Ockeghem is a member of Musicians

Some Johannes Ockeghem images

Biography/Timeline

1885

The spelling of Ockeghem's name comes from a supposed autograph of his which survived as late as 1885, and was reproduced by Eugène Giraudet, a Historian in Tours; the document has since been lost. In 15th-century sources, the spelling "Okeghem" predominates.

1993

In 1993, documents dating from 1607 were found stating that "Jan Hocquegam" was a native of Saint-Ghislain in the County of Hainaut, which was confirmed by references in 16th century documents. This suggests that, though he first appears in records in Flanders, he was a native speaker of Picard. Previously, most biographies surmised that he was born in East Flanders, either in the town after which he was named (present-day Okegem, from which his ancestors must have come) or in the neighboring town of Dendermonde (French: Termonde), where the surname Ockeghem occurred in the 14th and 15th century. Occasionally, Bavay, now in the Nord department in France, was suggested as his birthplace as well.

2015

A strong influence on Josquin des Prez and the subsequent generation of Netherlanders, Ockeghem was famous throughout Europe for his expressive music, though he was equally renowned for his technical prowess. Two of the most famous contrapuntal achievements of the 15th century include his Missa prolationum, which consists entirely of mensuration canons, and the Missa cuiusvis toni, designed to be performed in any of the different modes, but even these technique-oriented pieces demonstrate his uniquely expressive use of vocal ranges and tonal language. Ockeghem's use of wide-ranging and rhythmically active bass lines sets him apart from many of the other composers in the Netherlandish Schools.

Johannes Ockeghem trend