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Orlande de Lassus Biography

orlandus-lassus
  • Born: in Mons, Belgium
  • Genre: Easy Listening

Prolific Franco-Flemish composer of sacred works in most forms as well as much secular music, Orlandus Lassus' Prophetiae Sibyllarum was one of the most unusual and innovative works of the 15th century, and is one of those trailblazing compositions that could, potentially, have changed the course of music, had it been better known in his lifetime. It was discovered only after his death (by his sons, who were settling his estate). As the titles of the pieces indicate (Missa Osculetur Me, Salve Regina, and Regina Coeli) these are choral settings of prophetic statements (often parenthetical, in abbreviated sentences, with definite pronouns). The music captures the tone of the Sybil/oracle through devices like the graphic musical arrangement of the text words, unusual connections accomplished through the musical arrangements of the words, and extremely strange chromaticism within a predominantly chordal context, which was a totally new form for that time. By contrast, his Moresken, or morescas (Moorish dances), were the popular music of the day -- humorous, with wordplays and mixtures of languages, including gibberish. They are still very entertaining and funny, even today. ~ Blue Gene Tyranny, Rovi

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