Among the leading Flemish composers of his generation, Pierre de la Rue was probably born in Tournai, where, at the Cathedral of Notre Dame, he may be presumed to have had his early musical training. A member of the Confraternity of Our Lady at ’s-Hertogenbosch from 1489 to 1492, he served for the greater part of his life at the Burgundian-Habsburg court of Brussels-Mechelen. In 1501 and 1506 he was in Spain with Philip the Fair, remaining there with the latter’s widow, Juana. He returned to service with the Regent of the Netherlands, Margaret of Austria, and then with the future Charles V.

Church Music
Over 30 Mass settings by La Rue survive, commonly for four or five voices and based on plainchant or secular sources used in various ways. His motets are generally for four voices. They offer models of composition much admired and copied.

Chansons
La Rue’s chansons are generally for four voices, although there are some for three, five and six. A number survive in the collection made for Margaret of Austria, whose favourite composer he was.