"And Josquin Laughed..." Josquin and the Composer's Anecdote in the Sixteenth Century

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"Ave Maria ... Virgo serena" is a story written by Josquin des Prez. It is Josquin's most famous novel and is considered one of the most famous works of the 15th century. This work was very popular in the 16th century and even appeared at the beginning of the first prints in history. Its revolutionary open style, early imitation of conflict, and the double part became one of the most influential works at the time. Some contemporary theorists use the concept of syntactic imitation to describe the clear relationship between grammar and musical background of Josquin. Each phrase corresponds to one line of text, and it is delicately exposed through imitation. Structural joints are usually solved with the rhythm the sound reaches at full intervals.

Explanation: This four-part Ave Maria of Josquin des Prez was very popular in the 16th century "open" more open style (fewer melisma, only two parts of the sound). Even today, it is considered to be one of the closest works of that era. A very popular, anonymous composer in Josquin 's lifetime, probably Ludwig Daser worked after Josquin' s death and spread two new sound versions (Ave Maria ... Virgo serena, 6). Ludwig Senfl also writes the six part Ave Maria imitation based on this article.