Stephen of Liège - also Étienne de Liège (c. 850 – May 16, 920) was a Frankish churchman, who was the bishop of Liège from 901 until his death in 920.
He was a hagiographer and composer of church music.
Liège surviving compositions include three Proper Offices for the Office of the Trinity, the Office of the Invention of St. Stephen and the Office of St. Lambert.
Like the Offices of his contemporary Hucbald, Stephen's compositions follow the eight modes, though the musicologist Yves Chartier does not consider this innovation, asserting that both composers "did no more than to apply openly a manner of composition that was prevalent in their milieu."
Stephen was born in the Low Countries around 850.
In Metz he attended cathedral school and later went to the Aachen's palace school in 864.
Following his education, Stephen attained numerous church posts:
- He became an abbot of St. Evre, St. Mihiel and Lobbes as well as a canon of Metz Cathedral.
- He was elected bishop of Liège in 901, holding the post until his death in Liége on 16 May 920.
His works include In Festi Sanctisissimae Trinitatis, an office for the feast of the Trinity.
The celebration of the Feast of the Holy Trinity is attributed to him.
The Background Story:
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