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Antoine Brumel Biography

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Brumel was a top composer in the Franco-Flemish tradition during the time of Josquin and Obrecht. Brumel was a pupil of Josquin, and historically significant as the first truly French composer to be associated with the court in Burgundy. Much of his fame rests on the 12-voice Missa et Ecce Terrae Motus, which was to be cited until the end of the 16th century, and led to the composition of more laments on his death than were received by his contemporaries Obrecht, Mouton, and Agricola combined. Brumel's style in this Mass (and in much of his work) is primarily chordal, largely eschewing contrapuntal intricacy and making sparing use of imitation. As such, his style has more in common with the later Renaissance period as exemplified by Palestrina than the style of Ockeghem or Josquin. The Missa et Ecce Terrae Motus ("Earthquake Mass") is hence historically significant for its style, which is somewhat anticipatory of later developments and for its through-composed 12 voices that produce massive blocked chordal structures. On the whole, Brumel's music should appeal to those who enjoy the later Renaissance style; they will, no doubt, find this an interesting example of earlier large chordal music sparse in contrapuntal ideas. ~ Todd McComb, Rovi

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