Johannes Ockeghem

Johannes Ockeghem , c.1410-1497, Flemish composer. Ockeghem is thought to have been a pupil of Gilles Binchois and was definitely taught by Guillaume Dufay. He himself taught Josquin Desprez. He served three kings of France—Charles VII, Louis XI, and Charles VIII—and died at Tours. Considered the leader of the second generation of Flemish composers, he made highly influential contributions to imitative counterpoint in sacred music.

Ockeghem, Johannes [ Okeghem, Jean] (b c.1410; d ?Tours, 1497). Fr.-Flemish composer. In 1443 was singer in Notre Dame, Antwerp, and was member of chapel of Duke of Bourbon at Moulins, nr. Dijon, 1446–8. About 7 years later was at Fr. court, where he stayed for the rest of his life, serving three successive kings. Travelled on court missions to It. and Sp. Leading composer of period between Du Fay and Josquin Desprès, but only 14 Masses, fewer than a dozen motets, and about 20 chansons survive, enough to show his stature. Style noted for contrapuntal richness. His Missa ‘Fors seulement’ was one of first parody Masses, based on one of his own chansons. His Missa pro Defunctis is earliest surviving requiem, Du Fay's having been lost. His chansons were the ‘popular songs’ of his day. After he died, Molinet's commemorative poem Nimphes des Bois was set to mus. by Desprès.