Marco Antonio Cavazzoni, also known as da Bologna and d'Urbino, was an influential Italian composer and organist born around 1490 in Bologna, with his life extending until approximately 1560. He is recognized as the father of Girolamo Cavazzoni, another prominent composer of the Renaissance period.
Cavazzoni moved to Urbino around 1510, where he became acquainted with notable figures such as Cardinal Pietro Bembo. His musical career advanced significantly when he joined the private chapel of Pope Leo X in 1515. He later worked for Francesco Cornaro in Venice and returned to serve Pope Leo X again between 1522 and 1524. His later years saw him as an organist in Chioggia (1536-1537) and a singer at St. Mark's Basilica in Venice from 1545 to 1559, under the direction of Adriaen Willaert
Cavazzoni's most significant contribution to music is his collection titled Recerchari, motetti, canzoni, Libro I, published in Venice in 1523. This work includes some of the earliest known ricercari, which are early forms of instrumental compositions that exhibit thematic development but lack the imitative counterpoint characteristic of later works. The collection also features arrangements of vocal pieces by him and other composers, rooted firmly in the Renaissance vocal chanson tradition
Ricercari: Early keyboard works that are improvisational in nature.
Mottetti: Includes Salve Virgo, o Stella maris.
Canzoni: Such as Perdone moi sie folie and Madame vous avez mon cœur.
Cavazzoni's music laid foundational elements for subsequent keyboard compositions during the Renaissance. His style reflects a transition from vocal to instrumental music, influencing future generations of composers
