Heinrich Isaac (c. 1450-1517)
Dutch Renaissance composer of vocal music,
one of the leading contemporaries of Josquin Des
Prez. Isaac composed in all the forms of the time, preferring a conservative
harmonic idiom, usually based on imitation. He was one of the most
prolific composers of parody masses,
using such unusual themes as "bass dances." As with many of his contemporaries,
Isaac spent extensive time in Italy. He was highly influential in the later
development of music in Renaissance Germany.