Adrian Willaert
Adrian Willaert (c.
1490 -
December 7,
1562) was a
Flemish composer and founder of the Venetian school.
He was born at Bruges, or, according to other sources, at Roulers.
Willaert, taught in Paris by Jean Mouton, disciple of Josquin Des Prez, first went to Rome in 1516, then to Ferrara, where he served cardinal Ippolito I d'Este, perhaps residing with him in Hungary from 1517 to 1519.
Upon Ippolito's death in 1520 he entered the service of duke Alfonso, where he remained until 1527, when he was appointed choir master (maestro di cappella) of St. Mark's at Venice. Although grounded in the principles of contrapuntal art, Willaert soon fell under the influence of the new tendency, developing in Florence and elsewhere in Italy, to make the harmonic element predominate over the melodic.
As there were two choir lofts, one of each side of the main altar of St. Mark's, both provided with an organ, Willaert divided the choral body into two sections, using them either antiphonally or simultaneously. He then composed and performed psalms and other works for two alternating choirs. This innovation met with instantaneous success and strongly influenced the development of the new method.
Willaert was no less distinguished as a teacher than as a composer. Among his disciples are: Cipriano de Rore, his successor at St. Mark's; Costanzo Porta; Francesco della Viola; Giuseppe Zarlino; and the two Gabrielis, Andrea and Giovanni. These formed the Venetian school. Willaert left a large number of compositions - 8 masses, over 50 hymns and psalms, over 150 motets, about 60 French chansons, over 70 Italian madrigalss and several instrumental pieces (ricercares).
This entry is based on the 1908 Catholic Encyclopedia article. Update as needed.
Links
In the News
Tiny But Adaptable Wasp Brains Show Ability To Alter Their Architectur
For an animal that has a brain about the size of two grains of sand, a lot of plasticity seems to be packed into the head of the tropical paper wasp Polybia aequatorialis. [Funny] A referee has sent himself off in an English amateur league ma
Andy Wain had to abandon the Sunday league match between Peterborough North End and a Royal Mail side in the 63rd minute after throwing down his whistle and marching up to confront North End's keeper. Hormone Therapy: Monkey Studies Parallel Women's Health Initiative Fin
Studies in female monkeys helped raise important questions about hormone therapy that were addressed in a Women's Health Initiative study reported recently in the New England Journal of Medicine. The animal research also suggests the role that stress can play in heart disease development and point to the need for early prevention of heart disease. New Technique Assesses Effects Of Multiple Copies Of Genes On Disease
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the biotech firm Nimblegen Systems Inc. have successfully tested a technique for identifying newly recognized DNA variations that may influence disease risk. Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Official site of this library (and related cultural institutions) in Alexandria, Egypt, that has a goal of being "a center of excellence in the production and dissemination of knowledge and to be a place of dialogue, learning and understanding between cultures and peoples."The site features information about collections and programs for the library, planetarium, antiquities museum, art centers, and more. Also includes images, including some of the striking library building. Also available in Arabic and French. New Portrait Of Omega Nebula's Glistening Watercolors
The Omega Nebula, a stellar nursery where infant stars illuminate and sculpt a vast pastel fantasy of dust and gas, is revealed in all its glory. Stop the Presses! Sony's Reader Needs a Heavy Touch
Despite a larger-than-usual screen and handsome hardware design, this touchscreen-enabled e-book reader has too many shortcomings to recommend it.
 AIDSHotline.org: California's HIV/STD Referral Database
Extensive directory of organizations providing HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted disease (STD) services in California. Searchable and browsable referral database includes listings for education, testing, case management, mental health and legal services, job training, housing, and other services and support. Site includes FAQs and statistics about HIV/AIDS and STDs, annotated links, and information about volunteering for the California AIDS Hotline. From the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Fetish: Technolust Gadget Trip
A sleek home-media PC looks creamy delicious; a carry bag becomes a chair storing laptop; and more. By Brian Lam from Wired magazine. "That Laboratory of Abolitionism, Libel, and Treason": Syracuse and th
This exhibit explores the role of Syracuse, New York, in the Underground Railroad, the system that helped African American slaves escape to freedom. "Syracuse served as an important station along this freedom trail because of its central location on the Erie Canal and its associated waterways and travel routes."Includes digitized historical documents, maps and charts, and images of local abolitionists and reformers. From the Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Library.
MP3 Music Downloads
Preview songs, Download Free Music,Burn CDs at ITunes.com
 
|
