the man

The musical works of Guillaume Dufay are among the most difficult to circumscribe for major Renaissance composers. Dufay's large musical output, defined the new musical style of the early-to-mid-fifteenth century and with it the course of Western music into the Renaissance. The singularity of his eminence can best be compared to that of Beethoven.The singularity of his eminence can best be compared to that of Beethoven .
Guillaume Dufay was born near Cambrai around the year 1400, with documentary evidence presented suggesting the precise year 1397.. He spent most of his life in Italy, in various cities, and so not only contributed to a refinement in the musical life of Italy, but also brought ideas on lively Italian textures to the intellectual centers of Europe The events of his early life are unclear, including an apprenticeship with Richard Loqueville and appointments both around Cambrai and in Italy . By 1425 , Dufay was already one of the most famous composers in Europe.By 1440, he returned to Cambrai to take up a absentee post, only to go back in the 1450s to Savoy, and then return permanently to Cambrai, where continued composing. He had documented contact with other famous musical names such as Squarcialupi, Ockeghem and Binchois, and owned various benefices over a broad area. By the time he settled permanently in Cambrai, he was a rich and powerful man, a truly cosmopolitan figure of keen judgement and broad influence.