Loyset Compère
1445 - 1518
Loyset belongs to the French/FLemish school of composers who took polyphony to new heights leading up to the years of the Reformation.
Probably born in Arras in Northern France (though Hainault over the border in Belgium is equally possible).
He established a reputation as a singer from an early age and by his mid twenties was in Milan at the chapel of Duke Galeazzo Sforza. He almost certainly knew composers Johannes Martini and Gaspar van Weerbeke who were singing at the same chapel.
It was one of the most renowned choirs of Europe in its time. Before the French invasion of Milan Compère was back in France working at the royal court. Unlike his Franco-Flemish contemporaries his work interweaves the Burgundian and Italian styles of the day giving a uniquely light touch to his religious music.
He wrote several settings for the Magnificat of which the one below is a personal favourite. In addition to being a prolific composer of sacred music he also composed a number of secular motets, often for just three or four vocal parts and some rather more bawdy, irreverent material too!
Magnificent Magnificat!
I think Flanders exists as a geographical place not a political entity. I reckon it was part of the Dukedom of Burgundy in those days, though none of it affects the music, at least I don't think it does!