Francesco Landini
(1325-1397)
Had the distinction of being the most famous Italian Ars
Nova composer of the 14th century. Blinded
in his youth, he became a virtuoso performer on a number of instruments
but was best known as an organist. His skill as a performer and
as a composer won him legendary fame in the annals of Italian music.
Landini's compositions number more than 150 and include every form of secular
music, although the greater portion are two-part and three-part "ballatas."
His melodies are very expressive, and the
resulting harmonies are exceedingly smooth and fluid.
He is also credited with the "Landini cadence"
in which the melodic line cadences going from 7 to
6 to 8 (ti la do).