Philippe de Vitry

Philippe de Vitry (31 October 12919 June 1361) was a French composer-poet, bishop and music theorist in the style of late medieval music. An accomplished, innovative, and influential composer, he was widely acknowledged as a leading musician of his day; the early Renaissance scholar Petrarch wrote a glowing tribute, calling him: “… the keenest and most ardent seeker of truth, so great a philosopher of our age.” The important music treatise Ars nova notandi (1322) is usually attributed to Vitry. It is thought that few of Vitry’s compositions survive; though he wrote secular music, only his sacred works are extant. Life and career Details of Philippe de Vitry’s early life are vague. While some medieval sources claim that he was born in the Champagne region, modern researchers have found that he may have originated from Vitry-en-Artois near Arras. Given that he is often referred to in documents as a Magister, Vitry is thought likely to have studied at the University of Paris. Later he was prominent in the courts of Charles IV, Philippe VI and Jean II, serving as a secretary and advisor. Perhaps aided by these Bourbon connections, he also held several canonries, including Clermont, B