Jean de Latre
Encyclopedia
Petit Jean De Latre or Joannes de Latre (his surname is also recorded as Delattre, Delatre, De Lattre and Laetrius) was a Flemish Renaissance
composer and choirmaster who worked in Liège
and Utrecht
. He is no longer believed to be same person as Claude Petit Jehan who died in 1589.
, Prince-Bishop of Liège (1544–1557), to whom De Latre dedicated his first volume of secular songs or chanson
s of 1552.
During his time in Liège notable pupils included Gerard de Villers and Johannes Mangon.
After George of Austria's death in 1557 De Latre continued to work at St Martin, but in 1563 took up a post for a short period in Amersfoort
(within the province of Utrecht
). Around this time the former rector of the Latin school in Amersfoort, Johannes Oridryus, together with Albertus Buysius, undertook the publication of a collection De Latre's chansons, Cantionum musicarum, in Düsseldorf. De Latre returned to Liège as succentor
at St Martin, but was dismissed for debt in 1564.
By 1565 De Latre was employed at the Janskerk in Utrecht
where he is described as a Magister and Cantor. He may later have been employed at the Buurkerk there. He was buried at the Buurkerk in Utrecht in 1569, where his epitaph described him as a musici excellentissimi.
The best attested of works are his published chansons and set of Lamentations
. In addition a number of works survive in manuscript, but some may be by other composers.
Renaissance music
Renaissance music is European music written during the Renaissance. Defining the beginning of the musical era is difficult, given that its defining characteristics were adopted only gradually; musicologists have placed its beginnings from as early as 1300 to as late as the 1470s.Literally meaning...
composer and choirmaster who worked in Liège
Liège
Liège is a major city and municipality of Belgium located in the province of Liège, of which it is the economic capital, in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium....
and Utrecht
Utrecht
Utrecht is a city in the Netherlands.The name may also refer to:* Utrecht , of which Utrecht is the capital* Utrecht , including the city of Utrecht* Bishopric of Utrecht* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Utrecht...
. He is no longer believed to be same person as Claude Petit Jehan who died in 1589.
Life
The earliest record of his employment is for 1538 to 1539 when he was maître de chant at church of St John the Evangelist in Liège. Subsequently De Latre was employed at St Martin, Liège. From about 1550 he was also chapel master to George of AustriaGeorge of Austria
George of Austria , was Prince-bishop of Liège between 1544 and 1557.He was an illegitimate son of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor and Margaretha of Edelsheim....
, Prince-Bishop of Liège (1544–1557), to whom De Latre dedicated his first volume of secular songs or 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...
s of 1552.
During his time in Liège notable pupils included Gerard de Villers and Johannes Mangon.
After George of Austria's death in 1557 De Latre continued to work at St Martin, but in 1563 took up a post for a short period in Amersfoort
Amersfoort
Amersfoort is a municipality and the second largest city of the province of Utrecht in central Netherlands. The city is growing quickly but has a well-preserved and protected medieval centre. Amersfoort is one of the largest railway junctions in the country, because of its location on two of the...
(within the province of Utrecht
Utrecht (province)
Utrecht is the smallest province of the Netherlands in terms of area, and is located in the centre of the country. It is bordered by the Eemmeer in the north, Gelderland in the east, the river Rhine in the south, South Holland in the west, and North Holland in the northwest...
). Around this time the former rector of the Latin school in Amersfoort, Johannes Oridryus, together with Albertus Buysius, undertook the publication of a collection De Latre's chansons, Cantionum musicarum, in Düsseldorf. De Latre returned to Liège as succentor
Succentor
The Succentor in an ancient cathedral foundation sings psalms and Preces and Responses after the Precentor. In English cathedrals today the priest responsible for liturgy and music is usually the Precentor, but some cathedrals, such as St Paul's and Durham, retain a Succentor as well. Westminster...
at St Martin, but was dismissed for debt in 1564.
By 1565 De Latre was employed at the Janskerk in Utrecht
Utrecht
Utrecht is a city in the Netherlands.The name may also refer to:* Utrecht , of which Utrecht is the capital* Utrecht , including the city of Utrecht* Bishopric of Utrecht* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Utrecht...
where he is described as a Magister and Cantor. He may later have been employed at the Buurkerk there. He was buried at the Buurkerk in Utrecht in 1569, where his epitaph described him as a musici excellentissimi.
The best attested of works are his published chansons and set of Lamentations
Lamentations (music)
The Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet have been set by various composers.-England:Thomas Tallis made two famous sets of the Lamentations. Scored for five voices , they show a sophisticated use of imitation, and are noted for their expressiveness. The settings are of the first two lessons for...
. In addition a number of works survive in manuscript, but some may be by other composers.
Works
- Lamentationes aliquot Jeremiae for 3 voices (Maastricht, 1554)
- Sacred motets, at least 16 of which have been identified (1547–1564)
- 29 secular chansons in his first book, Chansons à quatre parties (Leuven, 1552)
- 24 French and Flemish chansons or songs in Cantionum musicarum quae diversis vocibus (Düsseldorf, 1563)
- Further chansons including Livre septiesme (Leuven, 1564)
Recordings
- Renaissance am Rhein, Singer Pur, Oehms Classics, 2011 - includes the motet Qualis est dilecta mea and the chansons Comme la rose and Si seule estois.
- Maastrichts Liedboek / Maastricht songbook (Nieuwe Duytsche Liedkens - Jacob Baethen, 1554), Camerata Trajectina, Globe Records GLO 6046, recorded 1999 - includes the Flemish chanson Al hadden wij vijfenveertich bedden.