Clément Janequin

Clément Janequin was a Renaissance-era French composer known for his lively, inventive chansons that painted vivid stories through music. Born around 1485, he became a superstar of the Parisian chanson scene, crafting catchy secular tunes filled with humor, nature sounds, and even battlefield chaos (check out his iconic *La bataille de Marignan* – it’s like a 16th-century sound effect masterpiece!). Though he started as a clergyman, Janequin’s real legacy lies in his ability to turn everyday scenes – hunts, bird calls, gossipy street chatter – into polyphonic earworms that stuck around long after his death in 1558.

Beyond party-ready secular hits, Janequin also dipped into sacred music, composing masses and motets, but it’s his playful, word-painting chansons that keep him on playlists today. Fun fact: his works were so popular that printers like Pierre Attaingnant turned him into one of the first “best-selling” composers of sheet music. Whether you’re into guitar adaptations of his *Missa "La bataille"* or his lush vocal harmonies, Janequin’s music remains a gateway to the quirky, vibrant soundscape of Renaissance France.

Genres

Medieval

Latest Release

Janequin: Chansons de maistre Clément Janequin : La bataille de Marignan

Clément Janequin•

Matthias Maute

Single - Released June 14, 2024