Methoden der Kanonkomposition bei Josquin Des Prez und seinen Zeitgenossen

The artful use of canon techniques is a feature of many compositions from the period around 1500. Despite the clarity of their contrapuntal structure, canons were long considered enigmatic because the craft requirements for their creation were unrecognized. Starting from a principle described in 16th-century music-theoretical treatises, the author presents procedures that enable the composition of a variety of different canon types. It is shown that even complex canon structures can be conceived in unison through the sophisticated use and combination of basic principles. The historical-compositional presentations are supplemented by analyses of some of the best-known canons by Josquin Des Prez. It is shown that only a precise knowledge of the craft strategies for the composition of canons in force around 1500 enables an adequate analysis of canonic works. The author provides this set of tools.