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Ockeghem, Missa Ecce ancilla Domini

The Missa Ecce ancilla Domini by Johannes Ockeghem, from which Obrecht quoted in the first Kyrie and Osanna of his Mass for St. Donatian, is based on the concluding segment of a fairly rare plainsong, the long processional antiphon Missus est angelus Gabriel, sung on Sundays during Advent in the rite of Paris. The text of the antiphon is drawn from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1: 26–38), and relates the story of the Annunciation; the segment selected as a cantus firmus by Ockeghem is Mary’s reply to the angel Gabriel that precipitated the Incarnation: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, do unto me according to Thy Word.” That this is a Mass created to celebrate the Annunciation is confirmed by the illumination adorning the opening of this Mass in one of its two sources, the Chigi Codex (Vatican City, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, MS Chigi C VIII 234), a lavish manuscript prepared in the scriptorium of Alamire in Brussels/Mechelen soon after Ockeghem’s death in 1497.

The Annunciation theme of Ockeghem’s Mass appears to have no connection to the theme of Obrecht’s Mass; rather, Obrecht’s use of quotation here seems motivated solely by the younger composer’s wish to pay homage to one of the most famous composers of the day, and to learn by emulating his uniquely suave musical style.

For more on Ockeghem’s Mass and its influence on Obrecht, see:

Fitch, Fabrice. Johannes Ockeghem: Masses and Models, Collection Ricercar 2. Paris:

Wegman, Rob C. Born for the Muses: The Life and Masses of Jacob Obrecht. New York:

Created by M. Jennifer Bloxam, Professor of Music | Williams College | Credits | Glossary