GOUDIMEL, CLAUDE (c. 1 5 I o-15 7 2) , musical composer of the 16th century, born about 151o. Both French and Belgians claim him as their countryman. In all probability he was born at Besancon, for in his edition of the songs of Arcadelt, as well as in the mass of 1554, he calls himself "natif de Besancon" and "Claudius Godimellus Vescontinus." The excellent Latin in which his letters were written proves that, in addition to his musical knowledge, he had a good classical training. In 1555 he published, with Nicolas Duchemin, a musical setting, now lost, some odes of Horace, and in 1557 and 1558 a Magnificat and two Masses. He was living in Metz in 1557, and at about this time, probably, joined the Huguenots. For them he composed a setting of the celebrated French version (1565) of the Psalms by Marot and Beza. The French version of the Psalms was at first used by Catholics as well as Protestants, until their use was forbid den in Catholic churches. Goudimel moved to Lyons, where he perished during the St. Bartholomew massacres of August 27-28, 1572.
Among modern books containing examples of Goudimel's work see especially O. Douen, Clement Marot et le psautier huguenot (2 vols., 1878) , and Choix de Psaumes (1879) ; H. Expert, Le Psautier huguenot du siecle (19o2) ; J. Tiersot, Ronsard et la musique de son temps (Leipzig, 1903) ; and T. Gerold, Clement Marot, Psaumes avec les melodies (Bibliotheca Romanica, Strasbourg, 1919).