Pierre de la Rue

Pierre de la Rue, born around 1460, was a renowned Franco-Flemish composer and singer of the Renaissance, celebrated for his significant contributions to the polyphonic style that flourished in the Netherlands around 1500. A contemporary of the legendary Josquin des Prez, de la Rue's music was highly prized at the Habsburg-Burgundian court, where he served as the pre-eminent composer under Duke Philip 'the Fair' of Burgundy. His compositions, which include the influential 'Missa pro defunctis' — one of the earliest polyphonic settings of the requiem — showcase his mastery of choral and sacred music. De la Rue's work is a testament to the rich musical heritage of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, making him a pivotal figure in the history of Renaissance music.