Nymphes des bois
Encyclopedia
Nymphes des bois, also known as La Déploration de Johannes Ockeghem, is a lament composed by Josquin des Prez
on the occasion of the death of his predecessor Johannes Ockeghem
in February 1497. The piece, based on a poem by Jean Molinet
and including the funeral text Requiem Aeternam
as a cantus firmus
, is in five voices. In the first of its two parts Josquin cleverly mimics the contrapuntal
style of Ockeghem. This chanson
is one of Josquin's best-known works, and often considered one of the most haunting and moving memorial works ever penned.
Josquin Des Prez
Josquin des Prez [Josquin Lebloitte dit Desprez] , often referred to simply as Josquin, was a Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance...
on the occasion of the death of his predecessor Johannes Ockeghem
Johannes Ockeghem
Johannes Ockeghem was the most famous composer of the Franco-Flemish School in the last half of the 15th century, and is often considered the most...
in February 1497. The piece, based on a poem by Jean Molinet
Jean Molinet
Jean Molinet was a French poet, chronicler, and composer. He is best remembered for his prose translation of Roman de la rose.Born in Desvres, which is now part of France, he studied in Paris...
and including the funeral text Requiem Aeternam
Requiem
A Requiem or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the dead or Mass of the dead , is a Mass celebrated for the repose of the soul or souls of one or more deceased persons, using a particular form of the Roman Missal...
as a cantus firmus
Cantus firmus
In music, a cantus firmus is a pre-existing melody forming the basis of a polyphonic composition.The plural of this Latin term is , though the corrupt form canti firmi is also attested...
, is in five voices. In the first of its two parts Josquin cleverly mimics the contrapuntal
Counterpoint
In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent . It has been most commonly identified in classical music, developing strongly during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period,...
style of Ockeghem. This chanson
Chanson
A chanson is in general any lyric-driven French song, usually polyphonic and secular. A singer specialising in chansons is known as a "chanteur" or "chanteuse" ; a collection of chansons, especially from the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, is also known as a chansonnier.-Chanson de geste:The...
is one of Josquin's best-known works, and often considered one of the most haunting and moving memorial works ever penned.