Alexander Agricola: Encyclopedia II - Alexander Agricola - Musical style

Alexander Agricola - Musical style

Agricola's style is related to that of Johannes Ockeghem, especially early in his career, and towards the end of his life he was writing using the pervasive imitation characteristic of Josquin des Prez. While few of his works can be dated precisely, he does use many of the non-imitative, complex, rhythmically diverse contrapuntal procedures more often associated with Ockeghem. Unlike Ockeghem, however, he was willing to employ repetition, sequence, and increasingly imitation in the manner of the other composers who were working around 1500 when the technique became widespread.

Agricola wrote masses, motets, secular songs in the prevailing forms (rondeaux, bergerettes, chansons) and instrumental music. Much of his instrumental music was based on secular music by Gilles Binchois or Ockeghem. Many of these pieces had become quite popular in the late 15th century.

Agricola is one of the few transitional figures between the Burgundian style and the style of the Josquin generation of Netherlanders who actually wrote music in both styles.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Musical style", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki