Guillaume Du Fay

This volume explores the work of one of medieval music's most important figures, and in so doing presents an extended panorama of musical life in Europe at the end of the middle ages. Guillaume Du Fay rose from obscure beginnings to become the most significant composer of the fifteenth century, a man courted by kings and popes, and this study of his life and career provides a detailed examination of his entire output, including a number of newly discovered works.

As well as offering musical analysis, this volume investigates his close association with the Cathedral of Cambrai, and explores how, at a time when music was becoming increasingly professionalised, Du Fay forged his own identity as 'a composer'.

This detailed biography will be highly valuable for those interested in the history of medieval and church music, as well as for scholars of Du Fay's musical legacy.

• Provides a detailed biography of one of the most important musicians of the fifteenth century, exploring how the increasing professionalization of music enabled Du Fay to construct his own identity as 'a composer'
• Offers an in-depth examination of all of Du Fay's music, including a number of recently discovered works, with numerous examples
• Presents the most complete description yet of the workings of the Cathedral of Cambrai, one of the major musical institutions of the fifteenth century, which will benefit scholars of both music and liturgy