Gilles Binchois

Composer from the "Burgudian Era" or "Franco-Flemish School", born in the Belgian city of Mons, presumably in around 1400. He played the organ at Sainte Waudru from around 1418 to 1423, when he left Mons and took up residence in Lille (France). Around 1427, he joined the Burgudian court choir, where he remained until 1453. He retired to became provost of the collegial church of Saint Vincent in Soignies (near Mons) where he died on 20 September 1460. His known works comprise around 60 songs and 50 sacred works. Though ranked behind his contemporary Guillaume Dufay, he was probably valued more highly than him in the 15th century and can be considered today as the major composer of his time at the Burgudian court.