Gilles Binchois

Gilles Binchois, also de Bins, Binche, Binche (* 1400 in Mons ();? † September 20, 1460 in Soignies ), was a Franco- Flemish composer, poet and cleric.

Life

Binchois was the son of Jean de Binche († 1425 (?) ) And his wife Jeanne, born Paulouche († 1426 (?) ), Highly respected citizens. He had at least two brothers: Andrj, who survived him, and Ernoul, who left two daughters.

His first training Binchois should have experienced in the vicinity of Mons' court. Probably Binchois also received training as a chorister.

In December 1419 Binchois is detectable as organist of St. Waudru in Mons; an office he held until 1423. On July 28, 1423, he paid the city of Mons a sum of money for the privilege to be allowed to move to Lille.

He quickly came into contact with the English occupiers. He probably entered the service of William de la Pole, the Earl and later Duke of Suffolk ( 1396-1450 ). A document from the year 1427 reported that Suffolk had in 1424 instructed by a fall from his horse in Paris ' Binchoiz ', the Rondeau ' Ainsi que a la foiz m'y souvient ' to write, and that ' Binchoiz ' in a later confrontation with two Norman attendants Suffolk have rather supported the Duke of Burgundy as the Duke of Gloucester. In April 1425 he followed the Count in the Hainaut. Probably referring to this period, the tradition that Binchois had been a soldier in his youth.

Even before 1430, probably shortly before 1427, was a member of the Burgundian court chapel Binchois. When his master was the art-loving and living in luxury legendary Philip the Good, in whose reign Burgundy experienced a period of cultural flowering. Always could enjoy Binchois the special favor of his masters and was powered by this abundant with benefices.

He received his first canonry already on January 7, 1430 Saint- Donatian in Bruges. This benefice was associated with a semi-annual Resident duties. 1437 gave the Duke Binchois benefice at Sainte- Waudru in Mons at Saint- Pierre Cassel.

The following years Binchois ' were filled with his duties as a member of the ducal chapel in whose hierarchy he ever rose up, and his duties as a canon in Bruges. Usually, the Duke traveled with his chapel; Binchois has him whenever possible, accompanied.

1437 was Binchois Honorary Secretary of the Court. In June 1437, the bishop of Cambrai him rose to the rank of sub- deacon. A month later sent Binchois, obviously with magic rituals familiar to the Duchess a ring, which should be effective against toothache.

1452 gave the Duke Binchois the dignity of provost Kollegiatsstiftes Saint -Vincent in Soignies and also a canonry. Soignies was known for his excellent music care to compare in this respect with Cambrai and Condé. Currently Binchois the composer Guillaume de Malbecque ( Guillermus Modatoris ) and John Regis canonries had the pin.

As provost Binchois held the secular power. He was obliged to stay a year at least 32 weeks in Soignies. Since 1453, therefore, he belonged to the Burgundian chapel only pro forma, was nevertheless further remunerated until his death. He lived in a tenement house of the congregation. The maid Bellotte le Meskine and the young servant Martin served him.

To the September 5, 1460 ill Binchois hard and died on September 20. He left a considerable fortune. His final resting place he found in the choir of the Collegiate. His tomb was destroyed in the 18th century.

Johannes Ockeghem composed on the death of Binchois ' Deploration sur la mort de Binchois ', you Guillaume Fay, the loss of a friend complaining that Rondeau En triumphant de Cruel Dueil.

Apart from a miniature ( 1451 ) no portrait is Binchois ' prove. The art historian Erwin Panofsky in 1949 hypothesized that performing "Portrait of Tymotheos " by Jan van Eyck Binchois. However, this hypothesis has been cited that the sitter hold no sheet music in hand. In the meantime you can see in this portrait a self portrait van Eyck.

What Martin le Franc in 1440 has expressed in a famous passage of his " Le champion des dames " for the first time: that Binchois not less than Guillaume you had Fay responsible for the emergence of a new, English -inspired style, since John Tinctoris part of the foundation music history insights. John Dunstable, Binchois and Guillaume Fay you were revered as the most important teachers of the following generation of composers. Much admired to this day Binchois ' melodic inventiveness.