OCKEGHEM, JOHANNES  BIOGRAPHY

Ockeghem belongs to the dominant Franco-Flemish school of composers whose influence pervaded the rest of Europe in the second half of the 15th century. He was in the service of the Dukes of Burgundy and from 1452 came to occupy a position of importance at the French court, holding various church benefices and serving as a diplomat.

Church Music

Only thirteen Mass settings by Ockeghem survive, including the Missa Quinti Toni, a Mass on L'homme armé and the remarkable Missa prolationum, with its command of technical contrapuntal resources. A smaller number of motets survive.

Secular Vocal Music

Ockeghem left a series of chansons, generally for three voices, on poetic texts typical of the time.