Dutch School (music)

Somewhat imprecisely, the polyphonic vocal music of the 15th and 16th century is often called the Dutch School.

The composers of this period, however, were by no means all Dutch in the modern geographical sense: Many of them originated in (modern) northern France, Belgium and western parts of Germany. This part of Europe was collectively known as the Netherlands, so the term Netherlands School would be more accurate, if a bit more unwieldy.

During this period, the focal point of the musical world shifted from France to the Netherlands, and eventually on to Italy.

This geographical shift can be seen in the composition of the five groups, or generations, that are commonly distinguished in this period:

• The First generation (1420-1450), dominated by Dufay and Binchois
• The Second generation (1450-1485), with Ockeghem as its main exponent
• The Third generation (1480-1520): Obrecht, Isaac and Josquin
• The Fourth generation (1520-1560): Willaert and Clemens Non Papa
• The Fifth generation (1560-1600): Gabrieli, Lassus, and ofcourse Palestrina