Philippe Duc (born around 1550 in Flanders; died after 1586) was a Franco-Flemish Renaissance composer. His exact origins remain as much of a mystery as his exact dates of birth and death. Nothing is known about his education either. He likely spent most of his life in Italy, presumably for some time in Padua, as suggested by a dedication to the Flemish students living there in 1570. He likely had close ties to the House of Habsburg, as indicated by the inclusion of several of his works in a song collection dedicated to Emperor Maximilian II. Transcriptions of his works can be found in Austrian archives up until 1586; after that, all traces of him are lost.
Philippe Duc composed numerous sacred works in the Flemish tradition, with an unmistakable influence from Clemens non Papa. His secular works tend to feature “lighthearted” elements that show a tendency toward parody.
