Alexander Agricola
Alexander Agricola (actually Ackerman; * 1446 in Ghent, † August 15, 1506 near Valladolid ) was a composer, singer and instrumentalist.
Life
Alexander Agricola was the illegitimate son of the wealthy Heinric Ackerman and the rich and successful businesswoman Lijsbette Naps. Johann prove 1486 to 1493 and 1496 as a singer with the Lieve Vrowe Broederschap in s-Hertogenbosch, was probably his twin brother.
Probably Alexander and John were until her voice broke in 1467 large sums of money had come choirboys at a church in Ghent, perhaps at Sint Nikolas, the Lijsbette Naps.
For a long time it was assumed that it is from 1470 is the composer in which to about 1474 detected in Milan Alexander, but this is ruled out by recent research.
In March 1476 Agricola is evidence for a short time in Cambrai as Horensänger. Whether it is with the organist " Alexander", who is mentioned in 1477 in Utrecht, to Agricola has acted, must remain undecided. It is recognized, however, that he was famous not only for its art of singing, but also for his virtuoso playing.
For the period from 1476 to 1491 is not known. One can only guess that Agricola has stopped at this time also in the rest of the German part of the empire. This is suggested by the exception German tradition of some early works of Agricola and his use of German choral traditions. Such supporting documents are missing so far.
At least the early 1490s but Agricola was a member of the court orchestra of the French king Charles VIII. Agricola's most important colleague here was Johannes Ockeghem. 1491 Agricola left the chapel without the king's permission and went to Italy.
In September 1491 Agricola had in common with the singer Charles de Launoy, later brother Henry Isaacs, in Mantua. But after a short time, both sat, again without permission, to Florence from where Charles de Launoy led a valuable book of Isabella d' Este to the loss of which she finally noticed and they and only through the mediation of the Ferrarese ambassador in Florence Piero de 'Medici were restored.
In Florence Agricola was sponsored by Piero de Medici, on October 1, 1491 singer at Florence Cathedral, and thus a colleague Heinrich Isaac. Agricola kept this office until 30 April 1492.
Beginning in May 1492 he left Florence, alarmed by a letter from the French king to Piero de 'Medici, in which the plea was expressed Agricola may return immediately to France. But Agricola obeyed not, but went to Naples at the court of Ferdinand I., where he found the middle of May for about four weeks recording. The French king pressed on to Agricola's return, and since it appeared Ferdinand not opportune for political reasons, to oppose the king, he let Agricola despite great admiration for the art of singing in the June 1492 draw. Shorter stays inlaying in Rome and Florence, Agricola returned to France and joined in the same year his service.
But long Agricola does not seem this time to have remained in France. For out letters show that he and Johannes Ghiselin again resided in February and March, 1494 in Naples at the court of Alfonso II, who ruled since the beginning of the year. To a job, it did not come this time.
Probably Agricola returned to France in his old office and remained there until the death of Charles VIII 1498th
On August 6, 1500 Agricola was a cantor in the chapel of Philip the Fair. This chapel, at that time probably the leading ensemble in Europe, were Pierre de la Rue and Nicholas Champion ( Clais le Liegeois ) to. The preferred position, the Agricola occupied here is evident, inter alia, the fact that he as Präbendar in Gorcum ( Gorinchem today ) and Valenciennes listed 1501.
The court orchestra accompanied the Duke on his travels constantly, because then the meeting of the rulers or their entrance into the cities were also major musical events. So we can assume that Agricola was in the retinue of the duke, when he traveled to Luxembourg in November 1500 and that he has been through and its first trip to Spain on 4 November 1501 to 8 November 1503.
Highlights of this trip were the entry into Paris on 25 November 1501 what probably Loyset Comperes motet Gaude prole regia rang; welcoming the Duke and Duchess of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile in Toledo in May 1502; Visits to Madrid, Guadalajara and Siguenza; In February 1503, the encounter with the Moors of Saragossa and the mystery plays of Perpignan; in March 1503 the meeting with the French king in Lyon; and on April 11, 1503, the meeting of Philip with his sister Margaret, who was married to Philibert of Savoy. Then the journey continued to Germany, where Philipp in Seefeld his father Maximilian I met on 13 September 1503.
The second trip to Spain the duke, took part in the Agricola surely, began on January 10, 1506. The trip was made by water, the singers and instrumentalists had their own ship. On January 13, 1506 storm drove a portion of the fleet, and the ship of the musicians from Falmouth. On April 27, 1506, the fleet landed in A Coruña. Philip and his entourage moved for the summer to Valladolid and later to Burgos, where he died of a fever. Also Agricola died on the outskirts of Valladolid.