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).