Casulana, Chatelet, Chilcott, Desprez & Lassus: Masters of Imitation

Imitation is the ultimate compliment. To take inspiration from someone else's work, to borrow and rework it to form another piece... what could be more flattering? This technique, known as 'parody', was hugely popular in late 16th-century Europe and Orlande de Lassus was one of it's most famous advocates. The Sixteen's programme showcases the master of parody at work and also features a new commission from the extraordinarily inventive composer Bob Chilcott parodying one of Lassus' finest secular madrigals. - Also included are two mini masterpieces by Maddalena Casulana - the first female composer to have had a whole book of her music printed and published in the history of western music and whose work was widely admired, not least by Lassus.