Jacob Obrecht

Jacob Obrecht (* 1457/58 in Ghent, † July 1505 in Ferrara) was a Flemish composer and singer as well as clerics of the Renaissance.

Life

Obrecht was the only child of the Ghent city trumpeter Willem Obrecht (1430 /35 - † ca 22 November 1488 ) and the Lysbette Gheeraerts ( 1438/42 - † shortly before the June 30, 1460 ). Probably Obrecht received training as a choirboy. From about 1472/3, he studied theology at an unknown location and graduated before 1479. Following a tradition of the 16th century, Obrecht and Erasmus of Rotterdam before 1480 are met in Utrecht.

Authorities from 1479 /80 to 1483/4 Obrecht worked at Saint- Gertrautis in Bergen op Zoom. Shortly before his appointment he had been ordained a priest and had read his first mass.

On July 28, 1484, the Chapter of the Cathedral of Cambrai him bestallte to Sing school teacher. He took office in Cambrai on September 6, 1484th He taught choir boys liturgy, choral singing, good behavior and Latin and had, moreover, to monitor food, clothing and recreation of children. However, he soon began to neglect his duties and eventually tried to force his resignation. On October 21, 1485, the Chapter decided therefore his dismissal.

Obrecht went to Bruges, where he had been appointed on 13 October 1485 ' zangmeester ' at Saint- Donatien. He took office in November 1485th His duties were almost identical to those in Cambrai. The highlight of the time in Bruges and was Obrecht's journey to the court of Duke Ercole music loving Ferraneser I d' Este ( November 1487 - May 1488 ). This trip was Jean Cordier, the famous singer and friend, Obrecht, mediated by the duke. Ercole Obrecht tried to keep them in Italy, but had no success. Obrecht traveled - due to the war - not on a direct path back to Bruges, but to Bergen op Zoom, where he stayed for several months. On January 22, 1491, he resigned his office in Bruges.

Obrecht found employment in Antwerp at Notre Dame, where he, Jacob Barbireau below, choirmaster was. Probably in 1492 he traveled to France. 1494/5 he tried to recommend to the Pope, for whom he composed the motet "Inter praeclarissimas virtutes ".

From summer 1497 Obrecht held until the end of 1498 is due to illness in Bergen op Zoom on. Since 1499 he worked again at Saint- Donatian in Bruges, where he fell seriously ill in the summer of 1500. Even before the June 24, 1501, he has, in the meantime becomes healthy, leave Bruges forever.

He went to Antwerp, where he at least until June 24, 1503 at Notre -Dame was vicar - singer of 24 June 1501.

In the spring of 1503, he tried to make Maximilian I. attention. For this he composed probably the Missa "Sub tuum praesidium " and received a gift. Certainly the Missa heard " Maria tender " in this context.

1503/4 was Obrecht possibly the Pontifical Chapel at, at least he was considering to enter into this. Since the payroll of the Pontifical Chapel are missing for this period, a documentary proof is not possible.

From October 1504 Obrecht has been back at the court of Ercole of Ferrara, this time as the official conductor; his immediate predecessor Josquin Desprez had been. On January 25, 1505 Ercole died, his son, Alfonso I d' Este, Obrecht dismissed immediately. An attempt Obrecht, in Mantua to try his luck failed. After a short time he returned to Ferrara and found his living as a priest, perhaps in the German or Dutch community. In July 1505 he died in Pesthospital Ferrara.

Work

Obrecht's works include masses, motets and secular pieces. Specifically, the following works have survived:

Measuring

Obrecht attributed Fairs

Motets

Motets of dubious authenticity

Secular Works

Appreciation

Only recently has the image of Obrecht has become clear as the most important composer of the early Renaissance next to Josquin. He has driven the development of measuring composition in the 1480/90er years like no other. Only with the advent of a more word embossed style ideal, whose most prominent representative Josquin 's fame faded Obrecht.