BINCHOIS, GILLES

(1400-1460)

   One of the major composers associated with the flowering of music at the court of the dukes of Burgundy in the 15th-century Netherlands. Although he produced much liturgical music, he is best known for his secular chansons (songs) accompanying poems of courtly love. Probably born near Mons, he became organist in a church there and later for a long period served as chaplain to Philip the Good, duke of Burgundy (reigned 1419-1467).

(c. 1400, Mons, Hainault [modern Belgium]– 20 September 1460, Soignies, France)

   Composer mostly known today for his secular chansons for the Burgundian court (served c.1430–death), he also wrote sacred music in a comparatively conservative style: 12 single mass ordinaries, eight mass pairs, six Magnificats, and about 30 motets.