Oswald von Wolkenstein (c. 1376/1377 – August 2, 1445) stands as one of the most illustrious composers and poets of the late Middle Ages, a multifaceted figure of the early German Renaissance. Hailing from the Tyrol region, which now spans Northern Italy and Western Austria, Oswald was not only a composer but also a diplomat, soldier, and knight, living during a time of great social and political change. Well-traveled and multilingual, his experiences across Europe, the Near East, and North Africa infused his songs with a cosmopolitan breadth uncommon in his time.

His music, secular in nature and often autobiographical, was instrumental in the development of song as a lyrical form. Oswald's repertoire varied thematically encompassing love, politics, and personal reflections, which he composed in the Minnesinger tradition—a German iteration of the troubadour/trouvère movement. His works are notable for their expressive melodies and intricate arrangements, marrying text and music with an elegance that reflected his noble status and worldliness. Despite living centuries ago, his compositions continue to be celebrated and re-evaluated by both scholars and musicians, yielding new recordings and interpretations that underscore his enduring influence on Western music.

Genres

Early Music

German Renaissance

Medieval

Minnesang

Renaissance

Latest Release

The Cosmopolitan: Songs by Oswald von Wolkenstein

Oswald von Wolkenstein•

Ensemble Leones

Album - 16 Tracks - Released May 6, 2014