| French composer, born probably in Cambrai,
in what is now northern France. As a young priest and chorister he lived
in Italy and France, and during most of the years 1428-37 he was a singer
in the papal chapel in Rome. In 1536 he was made canon of the Cathedral
of Cambrai, but 18 years at the courts of Savoy and Burgundy elapsed before
he made Cambrai his permanent residence and a renowned center for music.
Dufay was one of the early masters of counterpoint, especially four-part
music, and was influential in establishing the smooth harmonic idiom of
Renaissance writing. Among his compositions are magnificats, masses, motets,
and songs. |