Pierre Certon

Full biography Pierre Certon

Pierre Certon (ca. 1510-1520 - 23 February 1572) was a French composer of the Renaissance era. He was born in Melun, France and spent much of his life in Paris, where he worked as a composer and choirmaster. Certon was part of the generation of composers that followed Josquin des Prez, and his works are notable for their simple, expressive melodies and use of homophonic textures.

Certon composed a large number of chansons, many of which became popular throughout France and Europe. His chansons are written in a style that was common during the mid-16th century, with simple, tuneful melodies set to syllabic texts. He was also known for his sacred music, which includes masses, motets, and other works for the church.

One of Certon's most famous works is his chanson "Je ne l'ose dire," which is often performed by choirs today. The piece is a lively, energetic work that showcases Certon's skill at writing memorable melodies. Another well-known work of his is the dploration "Sur la mort de Claudin de Sermizy," a mournful work that reflects on the death of a fellow composer.

Certon's music was widely influential during his lifetime and has continued to be performed and recorded by musicians today. He was an important figure in the development of the Parisian chanson, and his simple, expressive style helped pave the way for the Baroque era that would follow.