JOSQU1N, DEPREZ—tho name which it appears to us, after having collated various authorities, is the true one of this celebrated composer of the most ancient school of part-music—was, there seems little reason to doubt, a native of the Low Countries, though the honour of his birth is indirectly claimed by many Italian writers, and was born about the middle of the 15th century. Joaquin was a disciple of Johann Ockenheim, "the oldest composer in parts on the Continent," says Dr. Burney, "of whose works I have been able to find any remains," and much of whose reputation arises from his having been the instructor of one who became so eminent. It is probable that Joaquin went into Italy when young, and there improved himself in the knowledge of his art ; and this may have led to his having been thought a native of that country, a supposition to which the frequent addition to his name of Pratensia, or Del Prato (a town in Tuscany), may be attributed. It is certain that he was a singer in the pontifical chapel in the time of Sixtus IV. (1471 to 1484), for Adami speaks of him in that capacity in high terms, as well as of his compositions, calling him " uomo insigne per l'iuvenzione." Quitting Italy, he was, according to Marianas, appointed Maitre de Chapelle to Louis XII.,
for whom he oompoeed much musk, (concerning which some amusing stories are told), and a motet or two so contrived that the monarch was enabled to take a part in the performance. Louis bad made him a promise of a benefice, but neglected to redeem it. To remind the king, the soneposer wrote a motet beginning Memo: onto verbi tui,' kc. This not producing the intended result, Joaquin wrote another, upon the words, ' Portio mea non est in tenet viventium.' Louis then took the Lint, bestowed a benefice, and the composer expressed his gratitude in a third motet, commencing, 'Bonitatem feciati cum servo too, Domino.' But Glaroanus remarks that desire proved more inspiring than gratitude, for the two first works very much surpassed the last.
The time of Joaquin's decease is not known : he was burled iu the church of St. Gudule, st Brussels. He was a very voluminous com poser, and many of his works remain to attest his learniug and genius.
Hawkins gives a good specimen of them ; Burney more than one example ; and several are to be found in the British Museum. "He may," says Dr. Burney, "be justly called the father of modern bar teeny, and the inventor of almost every ingenious contexture of its constituent parts."