The Josquin attribution and the proposed Richafort authorship of the Missa Quem dicunt homines are reexamined by means of a comparison of the formal features and imitative techniques of the imitation Masses of Josquin and Richafort with those of the Missa Quem dicunt homines. Aspects of the Elevation motet inserted within the Mass suggest Févin as yet another possibility. The examination reveals, however, that Josquin, Richafort, and Févin are not viable candidates for authorship. The Mass was probably composed before 1518 and was perhaps written by a member of the French court chapel of Louis XII, Anne de Bretagne, or Francis I.

Works: Attributed to Josquin: Missa Quem dicunt homines; Josquin: Missa D'ung aultre amer (90-91), Missa Malheur me bat (88, 90-91), Missa Fortuna desperate (90-91), Missa Mater Patris (90-91); Richafort: Missa O Genitrix (93-95), Missa Veni Sponsa Christi (93-95); Févin: Missa Parva (97-99), Missa Dictes moy toutes voz pensées (102), Missa Ave Maria (102), Missa Mente tota (102), Missa Sancta Trinitas (102).

Index Classifications: 1500s

Contributed by: Wendy Jeanne McHenry