Orlando Di Lasso Accomplishments

Orlando Di Lasso was a Franco-Flemish composer of the late Renaissance. Lasso was born in the year of 1532. The exact date of his birth is not known; however, we do know he was born in the province of Hainant, Belgium. Orlando Di Lasso passed away on June 14, 1594. He died at the old age of 62 (Oron). Interestingly enough, the same day Orlando Di Lasso died he was to be dismissed from his job due to finical reasons (“Orlando Lassus.”). He composed several genres of music, and can also be considered today as the main representative of the mature polyphonic style of the Franco-Flemish school. He composed a variety of music including chansons, hymns, madrigals, and lamentations (“The Inspiring Life Story of Orlande De Lassus.”). Though

His output varied from the divine to the ridiculous, and he showed a sense of humor rarely affiliated with sacred music. His religious works have a particular emotional depth. He took great care to reflect the meaning of his texts in his music, a feature that was similar to what would become the Baroque style of the early 17th century (Oron). A few of volumes of compositions stand out as landmarks in his career: his first collection of motets (1556) established his dexterity in a field to which he contributed all his life; a comprehensive anthology of his French part-songs (1570) helped to fortify his position as the leading composer in this genre. In addition to his madrigals (Italian choral pieces) and chansons, he published seven collections of lieder (German part-songs). Probably his best-known work is his somber, impressive collection of penitential psalms, Psalmi Davidis Poenitentiales (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica). Orlando Di Lasso’s work ‘Lagrime di San Pietro’ (St. Peter’s Tears), which is a cycle of 20 madrigals, with a concluding motet, is considered to be one of Lasso’s most influential works. In addition, it is considered to be an extremely important work of the Renaissance era. Lasso dedicated it to Pope Clement VIII, the Pope at this time. Unfortunately, he passed away before it could be published. This spectacular