LA TORRE
LA MAISON DIEU
THE TOWER

The lofty pine is oftenest shaken by the winds; High towers fall with a heavier crash; And the lightning strikes the highest mountain”. (Horace)

It takes a brave person to stand atop a tower or castle. For lightning can never be far away.

Sudden disruption. Destruction. Enforced change.

Northern Italy c. 1550. A period of deep musical instability. A new style, championed by Fleming Cipriano de Rore, and continuing through his students. From Ferrara, to Venice, Parma, Milan & even as far as Bavaria… the influence pulled in many directions all at once.

But did it have a lasting impact? Or are we able to look back in time and bear witness to one of the first instances of viral trending…