Chapter 7: The Renaissance 14001600

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Chapter 7 The Renaissance(1400-1600)
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Music

• Musical Style
• A cappella music
• (vocal work without instrumental accompaniment)
• Continuous imitation
• themes passed from one voice line to another
• Word painting
• The music was written to reinforce the meaning of
  the text
• Melody moving up the scale on the word
  ascending
• More use of duple meter even in sacred music

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Music

• Josquin Desprez (c. 1440-1521)
• Noted for the expressiveness in his music
• Motet - Ave Maria . . . Virgo serena
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525-1594)
• Noted for the restrained, serene, celestial sound
  of his music - making it ideal for the catholic
  churchs counter-reformation
• Pope Marcellus Mass - Gloria
• Written possibly to satisfy the Council of Trent
  which was concerned about the use of too much
  polyphony which made the text unintelligible, as
  well as the use of popular songs and the use of
  instruments in religious services - the secular
  spirit invading sacred music

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Music

• Madrigal
• Originated in Italy - Later adopted by the
  English with a simpler, lighter style
• Weelkes - As Vesta Was Descending
• Use of word painting
• Chanson
• Favorite genre in the courts of France Burgundy
• Usually written for three or four voices to texts
  of courtly love poetry.

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Music

• Secular Music
• Renaissance secular music was primarily meant for
  a small, intimate group (for the most part
  participating in the performance)
• Texts of chansons and madrigals reflect this
  intimacy
• No large forms of secular music comparable to the
  Mass
• Madrigal, chanson polyphonic Lied were secular
  counterpart to the religious motet
• Although meant to be sung, it was common practice
  to double voice parts on instruments
• (fig. 7.12, 7.13 7.14, p. 161,162,163)
• Instrumental music developed from dances
• For solo instruments or small ensembles
  (major/minor)

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• The End
• Ch. 7