Pierre Attaingnant

Pierre Attaingnant, a pioneering figure in the world of music publishing, was a French printer and publisher whose innovations significantly impacted the dissemination of musical works. Active in Paris, Attaingnant is renowned for being one of the first to employ single-impression printing, a technique that revolutionized the process by greatly reducing the labor involved. His contributions to the music world are immense, having published works by over 150 composers, including the first editions of keyboard music in France in 1531. Attaingnant's legacy extends beyond his technical innovations; his workshops in the Rue de la Harpe were hubs of creativity and tension, reflecting the vibrant musical culture of the time. His influence as a royal printer of music and his extensive catalog of published works make him a key figure in the history of medieval music.