Philippe de Vitry

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Philippe de Vitry (born October 31, 1291 probably in Vitry-en-Artois , † June 9, 1361 in Meaux ) was a French composer , music theorist , poet and Roman Catholic bishop .

Life

According to his own information, Philippe de Vitry was born on October 31, 1291. Its exact origin is not documented as there are several places in France called Vitry. According to the current state of research , Vitry-en-Artois near Arras is considered the most likely place of origin. He studied at the Sorbonne and was possibly also a student of Petrus de Cruce . A previous visit to the Collège d'Arras, founded at the beginning of the 14th century, is assumed. He probably joined the clergy at an early age , later he was secretary to Charles IV. After his death, he served with various French nobles, including at the papal court in Avignon . Vitry was proposed for a benefice in Cambrai in 1321 , which he then held until at least 1327. From August 1322 at the latest, he also had a benefice in the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame in Clermont-en-Beauvaisis. In the following years, documentary evidence of his work accumulated. From 1327 he held a benefice in Verdun Cathedral, in 1332 at the latest he became canon in Soissons and was also archdeacon of Brie from 1333. Further benefices followed at the cathedrals of Beauvais and Paris and at the collegiate churches in Saint-Omer, Saint-Quentin, Amiens, Vertus (Saint-Jean) and Paris (Saint-Méry). In 1351 he was from Pope Clement VI. appointed Bishop of Meaux , where he also died in 1361.

Vitry was considered one of the leading intellectuals of his time, he was adored by Petrarch and was friends with Johannes de Muris , who tried to mathematically substantiate his musical theories. As a “classical” artist, he created substantial works on a large scale that always bear the personal artistic signature of their creator and were not - as was mostly still common at that time - religious or sociable purpose creations. Alongside Guillaume de Machaut , he is the most important French composer of the 14th century.

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Of the many writings that are ascribed to Philippe de Vitry, only the most important, entitled Ars nova from 1322 (?) , Comes with certainty from him. However, this had a very strong influence on the development of mensural music and music theory. The epoch of medieval music in the 14th century, particularly in France , takes its name from this treatise.

Only about 12 of his compositions have survived, including five early motets from the Roman de Fauvel (around 1317). The often cited masterpiece Tuba - In Arboris is a creed with the juxtaposition of fides (Latin for 'belief') and ratio (Latin for 'reason'). In the motet Hugo - Cum statua he does not shy away from calling himself and an opponent by name.

literature

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predecessor Office successor
Jean VI. de Meulan Bishop of Meaux
1351-1361 		Jean VII de Royer
personal data
SURNAME Philippe de Vitry
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Vitry, Philippe de
BRIEF DESCRIPTION French clergyman, composer, poet, music theorist and bishop
DATE OF BIRTH October 31, 1291
PLACE OF BIRTH uncertain: Vitry-en-Artois
DATE OF DEATH June 9, 1361
Place of death Meaux