 Prior to hiring Josquin, one of Duke Ercole's assistants recommended that he hire Heinrich Isaac instead, since Isaac was easier to get along with, more companionable, was more willing to compose on demand, and would cost significantly less (120 ducats vs. 200).Ercole, however, chose Josquin.While in Ferrara, Josquin wrote some of his most famous compositions, including the austere, Savonarola-influenced "Miserere", which became one of the most widely distributed motets of the 16th century; the utterly contrasting, virtuoso motet "Virgo salutiferi"; and possibly the "Missa Hercules Dux Ferrariae", which is written on a "cantus firmus" derived from the musical letters in the Duke's name, a technique known as "soggetto cavato".