Historical dictionary of sacred music

DUNSTABLE, JOHN

(c. 1390, England – 24 December 1453)
Composer who is most frequently cited in continental music theory as the one responsible for bringing the "English sound" to Europeanpolyphony, that is, a texture governed by a strict syntax of consonance and dissonance treatment and greatly simplified rhythmic patterns as compared to the French polyphony of the late 14th century. He is also credited, along withLeonel Power, with the earliestcantus firmus mass, theMissa Rex Seculorum(c. 1420s–1430s), although the attribution is not certain. Besides one other cyclicmass, there are 22 single massordinarymovements, 15isorhythmic motets, and 27 other settings of Latin texts.

  1. dunstable, john—ca. The outstanding English composer of the first half of the th century famous not only in England but in Italy and elsewhere. He was a married layman but was closely l...Historical Dictionary of Renaissance