1500s in music

The first decade of the 16th century marked the creation of some significant compositions. These were to become some of the most famous compositions of the century.

Events

• 1503: Pierre de la Rue, Alexander Agricola and Henry Bredemers travel to Heidelberg with the Habsburg court, where they most probably meet Arnolt Schlick.
• c. 1503: Josquin des Prez leaves France and is employed by Ercole d'Este I in Ferrara; he leaves for Condé-sur-l'Escaut in 1504.
• 1506: Antoine Brumel settles in Ferrara, replacing Jacob Obrecht (who died in 1505) at Ercole d'Este's court.
• 1507: Paul Hofhaimer settles in Augsburg, where he could be closer to Roman emperor Maximilian I whom he served as organist.

Publications

• 1501: Harmonice musices odhecaton A, the first printed collection of polyphonic music, published by Ottaviano Petrucci in Venice. It was followed by two more volumes, in 1502 and 1503.
• 1502: Josquin des Prez - Misse Josquin, published by Ottaviano Petrucci, including the Missa L'homme armé super voces musicales
• 1507: Francesco Spinacino – Intabollatura de lauto (two volumes), the earliest known publication of lute music
• 1508: Joan Ambrosio Dalza – Intabolatura de lauto libro quarto

Compositions

• 1502: Josquin des Prez – Salve regina, for five voices.
• 16th century: This Endris Night - English Christmas carol. Exact date of composition and composer unknown.

Births

• 1502: Francesco Corteccia, Italian composer (died 1571)
• c. 1505
  • Thomas Tallis, English composer (died 1585)
  • Christopher Tye, English composer and organist (died c. 1572)
• c. 1507: Jacques Arcadelt, Franco-Flemish composer (died 1568)

Deaths

Jacob Obrecht

• 1505
  • Adam of Fulda, German composer and theoretician (born c. 1445)
  • Jacob Obrecht, Flemish composer (born 1457 or 1458)
• 1506: Alexander Agricola, Flemish composer (born c. 1445)