Heinrich Isaac (ca. 1450-1517) was a versatile and prolific Flemish composer of both secular and church music. He was one of the greatest masters of High Renaissance music.

Little is known of the early life of Heinrich Isaac. He asserted that he came from Flanders. His birth date is believed to be within a few years of the mid-15th century. He was undoubtedly trained in the Low Countries and remained there until 1484, when Lorenzo de' Medici, impressed by his reputation, invited Isaac to Florence. For 10 years he worked at the principal churches of the city as composer, singer, and choir director.

Isaac was also a composer for the Medici household and taught music to Lorenzo's children. During this decade he composed many carnival songs (now lost) to the poems of his wealthy patron. With the fall of the Medici and their expulsion from Florence (1494), Isaac lost his...