Carolus Luython, or French: Charles Luython, (1557 – 2 August 1620) was a late composer of the "fifth generation" of the Franco-Flemish school

Franco-Flemish School

In music, the Franco-Flemish School or more precisely the Netherlandish School refers, somewhat imprecisely, to the style of polyphonic vocal music composition in Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries, and to the composers who wrote it...

.

Luython was born in Antwerp, and was recruited as a child to serve in the choir of Maximilian II

Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor

Maximilian II was king of Bohemia and king of the Romans from 1562, king of Hungary and Croatia from 1563, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation from 1564 until his death...

 in Vienna. After Maximillian's death in 1576 Luython become court organist and composer to Rudolf II

Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor

Rudolf II was Holy Roman Emperor , King of Hungary and Croatia , King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria...

 first in Vienna, then in Prague, while his fellow Fleming Philippe de Monte

Philippe de Monte

Philippe de Monte , sometimes known as Philippus de Monte, was a Flemish composer of the late Renaissance. He was a member of the 3rd generation madrigalists and wrote more madrigals than any other composer of the time...

 was Kapellmeister 1568–1603, together with the Germans Hans Leo Hassler

Hans Leo Hassler

Hans Leo Hassler was a German composer and organist of the late Renaissance and early Baroque eras, elder brother of the less-famous Jakob Hassler...

 and Jakob Hassler

Jakob Hassler

Jakob Hassler was a German Renaissance composer.He was born in Nuremberg, Germany, the youngest son of Isaak Hassler, and brother of Hans Leo Hassler and Kasper Hassler. The Hasslers were an important Franco-Flemish musical family in Middle Europe during the late Renaissance...

. After Rudolf II died in 1612 Luython was among many court officials dismissed without pension by Rudolf's successor Matthias

Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor

Matthias of Austria was Holy Roman Emperor from 1612, King of Hungary and Croatia from 1608 and King of Bohemia from 1611...

. Luython was forced to sell his possessions, including his harpsichord, and died in poverty at Prague

Prague

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...

.

Works

• Masses.

First Book of Masses. 4 of 9 are based on motets and madrigals by Monte.

Missa Caesar vive! a 7.

• Motets
• Hymns
• Italian madrigals
• Keyboard fugues, fantasias and ricercares.

Discography

• Madrigal: Perch'io t'habbia guardato. Venhoda, Supraphon LP.
• 2 madrigals a 5: Erano i capei d'oro a l'aura. Due rose fresche non vede un simil. on All'Illustrissimi Signori Fuccari: Music from the time of 1573–1607 The House of Fugger. The Consort of Musicke
  The Consort of Musicke
  The Consort of Musicke is a British early music group, founded in 1969 by lutenist Anthony Rooley, the ensemble's Artistic Director. Members of the group have included such well-known artists as sopranos Emma Kirkby and Evelyn Tubb, alto Mary Nichols, tenors Paul Agnew, Andrew King and Joseph...
  
   dir. Anthony Rooley
  Anthony Rooley
  Anthony Rooley is a British lutenist. He founded in 1969 and directs the early music ensemble the Consort of Musicke, which continues to be one of the chief vehicles for his inspiration, among many other activities and interests...
  
   DHM 1985
• Lamentations a 6. Huelgas Ensemble
  Huelgas Ensemble
  The Huelgas Ensemble is a Belgian early music group formed by the Flemish conductor Paul Van Nevel in 1971. The group's performance and extensive discography focuses on renaissance polyphony...
  
   dir. Paul Van Nevel
  Paul Van Nevel
  Paul Van Nevel is a Belgian conductor, musicologist and art historian. In 1971 he founded the Huelgas Ensemble, a choir dedicated to polyphony from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Van Nevel is known for hunting out little known polyphonic medieval works to perform.He grew up in a musical...
  
  , live recording ORF Jan. 24, 1998, on Resonanzen '98.
• Missa Caesar vive! Fraternitas Litteratorum, Supraphon 2007
• Complete keyboard works. Jaroslav Tůma, Supraphon, 11 0754-2