da Palestrina, Giovanni Pierluigi

One of the greatest writers of church music in the late 16th century. He was named after his hometown, located near Rome. Palestrina composed music in the counterpoint style, and his name was linked with the task, of "cleaning" religious music from secular elements and dance tunes many composers introduced. The pope gave him this task, and indeed he composed particularly beautiful and pure music, that inspired an atmosphere of faith and exhilaration, setting music once again as a non-disturbing element to prayer, but a contributing addition.

He wrote over 100 masses, especially known is the "Missa Papae Marcelli" mass; he also wrote motets and a book of hymns to be sung in church, throughout the year. Being a wealthy businessman as well, he was one of the first to take advantage of the new invention - music printing, in order to publish his work.

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