Robert Morton (composer)

Robert Morton (* 1440, † after 1478) was an English composer and singer in the service of the Burgundian dukes.

Life

Over the life of the chappelain anglois little is known. He was probably born around 1440 in England or of English parents in Burgundy. In 1457 he came in contact with the Burgundian court and received 75 livres, to clothe the court etiquette according. It seems as though he had previously been accustomed to long periods of time in Brussels.

At first he was probably free ' employees of the chapel; only from 1460 flowed regular payments. He traded as Messire; So he was a priest. Given is not easy to explain why he had to settle for 15 years with the humble position of a cleric.

From June 1, 1464 until March 12, 1465 October 1, 1465 to September 30, In 1466 he was at the behest of his masters Philip the Good of the household of the Count of Charolais, later Duke Charles the Bold. Sure, he accompanied Charles on his military campaigns.

After the death of Philip ( 1467 ) Morton was taken to the Chapel of Charles the Bold. From July 20th to August 13th, 1470 you granted him a holiday. Between June 20, 1471 and the July 20, 1472, he took over in the chapel the dignity of chappelain. In 1475 Morton published irregularly in the bills; He received only a quarter of the full annual salary.

On February 1, 1476 Pierre Basin Morton took position as chappelain, obviously in compliance with a 1475 authorized entitlement. However, this assumption does not seem to be due to Morton's death, since it is not reported as deceased. The fact that at least he was still alive in 1478, shows a list, are listed in the supplementary payments to members of the Ducal Chapel.

More biographical information is only the work of Morton and others refer to. Le souvenir and gift do mention Claude Bouton († 1488 ) and his family. The Rondeau Il sera pour vous / L' homme armé alludes to Simon le Breton ( † 1473 ), who in May 1464 went after leaving the Burgundian court chapel to Cambrai. This city have Morton and Hayne van Ghizeghem least visited together one occasion, of which the anonymous rondeau La plus grant Chiere reported. The poem Mon bien, m'amour, ma joye et mon desir, which is believed that it is the original text to Mortons Mon bien ma joyeux containing acrostic MARIE Morelet.

The work

From Morton only songs have been preserved.

Appreciation

Despite his English origin Morton belongs entirely to the Burgundian sphere. His songs are stylistically very similar to the creations of Hayne van Ghizeghems and Antoine Busnoys.

All pieces show exceptional melodic economy. They lack the countertenor completely the stuffing with which Hayne van Ghizeghem worked, but often come with major intervals and fifth jumps.

Morton was mentioned by his contemporaries Hothby and John Tinctoris. Although his fame has never exceeded a small circle of connoisseurs, his pieces were unusually widespread. His chansons Le souvenir ( 14 sources ) and N'aray per jemais ( 15 sources ) are among the highlights of the Burgundian chanson.

Bibliography

• David Fallows, " Robert Morton ", The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, ed Stanley Sadie. 20 vol. London, Macmillan Publishers Ltd.. , 1980. ISBN 1-56159-174-2
• Gustave Reese, Music in the Renaissance. New York, W.W. Norton & Co., 1954. ISBN 0-393-09530-4

• Composer
• Composer ( Renaissance )
• Franco - Flemish composer
• Singer of the Renaissance
• Born in the 15th century
• Died in the 15th century
• Man