The art of music. Vol. 01 (of 14) : $b The pre-Classic periods
History
The art of music. Vol. 01 (of 14) : $b The pre-Classic periods
Music -- History and criticism; Musicians
At first Lasso, being unfamiliar with the German language, filled
rather a subordinate position among the duke’s musicians; but in 1562
he was appointed master of the chapel, which included both the choir
and an orchestra. From this year on, up to the time when the illness
attacked him which resulted in his death, his career was one of
ever-increasing success and prosperity. He was called the 'Prince of
Musicians.’ In 1570 he was ennobled by the Emperor Maximilian II, and
in the year following Pope Gregory XIII decorated him with the Order
of the Golden Spur. On visiting Paris he was received with great favor
by King Charles IX; while at home Duke Albert assured him his salary
for life and appointed three of his sons to honorable positions in the
chapel. The successor of Albert, Duke Wilhelm II, not only confirmed
Lasso in his position, but presented him, in appreciation of his
services, with a house and garden, and also made suitable provision for
his wife. Neither the favor of royalty nor the admiration of princes,
however, could render him immune to ill fortune. His last few years
were clouded by mental trouble and melancholia. In June, 1594, he died,
and was buried in the cemetery of the Franciscans. The monastery has
been destroyed, but the monument to Lasso was preserved and now stands
in the garden of the Academy of Fine Art in Munich.
Although the name of Lasso is not so well known to the world to-day
as that of Palestrina, his career was a remarkable one. In the
oft-mentioned Munich library, among other works of the master, is a
manuscript copy of his most famous work, the 'Penitential Psalms,’
written between 1562 and 1565, but not published until some time later.
At the performance of these psalms Duke Albert was so impressed and
affected that he caused a manuscript copy to be made and placed
in his library. It was richly ornamented by the court painter, Hans
Mielich, and other artists, and magnificently bound in leather.[120]
Duke Albert was perhaps an exceptional patron; but, granting that to be
the case, Lasso’s career shows how honorable was the position held by a
great musician in his century.
[Illustration: ORLANDO di LASSO.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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