Last and greatest of the Netherland School of composers, born Mons, Belgium, c.1532;died Munich, Germany, 1594. Brought to Italy early by his patron, Ferdinand de Gonzaga, he became choirmaster at Saint John Lateran. He finally settled in Munich as director of chamber-music, 1556-1567, and chapel master, 1560, to Albert V, Duke of Bavaria. Ranking next to Palestrina among the composers of the 16th century, he is noted chiefiy for his church music based on the diatonic Gregorian modes, but the character of his genius is universal for he traveled extensively and was versed in all forms. The total number of his works, published and in manuscript, is estimated at 2400, a prodoctivity unequaled in musical history. Besides sacred themes the secular furnished material for his madrigals, chansons, and lieder. A setting of the Seven Penitential Psalms 100 settings of the Magnificat, fifty masses, and 516 motetti are among his works extant. Haberl and Sandberger began a complete edition in sixty volumes, 1894.
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