Johannes de Stokem

Full biography Johannes de Stokem

Johannes de Stokem was a composer who lived in the late 14th and early 15th century and was known to be active in the region now known as Belgium. Unfortunately, little is known about the life of Johannes de Stokem, and no biographical information has survived to this day. However, several of his compositions did survive and offer a glimpse into his musical style.

Johannes de Stokem was known for his sacred choral music, particularly his Masses, which were composed in the cantus firmus style that was popular in the late Middle Ages. His works often featured a smooth vocal texture, with each line of the composition interweaving seamlessly with the others, creating a harmonic and expressive whole.

One of his most famous compositions was the Missa Maria Zart, a mass that was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was composed in the early 15th century. This mass is known for its beautiful use of the cantus firmus technique, which sees a pre-existing melody woven into the composition as a musical base. In this case, the melody that formed the cantus firmus was a popular German folk song, which Stokem skillfully wove into the mass to stunning effect.

Overall, Johannes de Stokem was a significant composer of his time, known for his sacred choral music that showcased his skill in the cantus firmus technique. Although little is known about his personal life, his music has ensured that his legacy lives on to this day.