Download Renaissance Period

Renaissance Period
-Another name for this period is “Rebirth.”
-The Renaissance Period was from the years 14501600.
-This period is also considered the “Dominant
intellectual movement.”
-Humanism-Focused on human life and its
accomplishments. Humanists were not concerned
with the afterlife. (i.e. Heaven and
Hell)
Renaissance Period
The Roman Catholic Church (R.C.C.)
became less powerful
 Aristocrats (wealthy business people) and
the upper middle class considered
education a status symbol.
 The invention of printing helped
accelerate both the learning and the
spread of music.

Music in the Renaissance Period
Music in the Renaissance Period






Musical texture was mostly polyphonic.
Imitation was often used.
The Renaissance Period is often called the
“Golden age of unaccompanied vocal music.”
Score in modern notation.
Many pieces had 4,5, or 6 voice parts.
A cappella - Unaccompanied vocal music.
Music in the Renaissance Period
Large courts might employ 30 musicians
playing all types of instruments.
 These courts gave musicians jobs.

Renaissance Period
Every educated person was expected to
be trained in music.
 Vocal music was more important than
instrumental. Galliard Dance.
 Musicians were hired to play for churches,
courts (royal and aristocratic), and towns.

Renaissance Period
Lyrics were used to create a relationship
between words and music.
 Word Painting (Text Painting)-A musical
representation of poetic images.
 For example-descending from heaven-the
melody would start high and get lower.

Secular Renaissance Music
Secular music became more popular.
 One important kind of secular music was
the madrigal.
 Madrigal – A piece for several voices set
to a short poem, about love.

Sacred Renaissance Music

Two main forms sacred music:
◦ -Mass – Polyphonic piece of music used in
church services.
◦ -Motet – A polyphonic piece of music, set to
the Latin text of the bible, not used in church
services.
Composers
Giovani Palestrina
 Lived from 1525-1594
 Composer that devoted himself to the
church.
 Composed the “Pope Marcellus Mass.”
 The piece was written for six voices and
helped convince the church to keep
polyphonic music in church services.

Composers

Josquin des Prez
◦ -Lived from 1450-1521.
◦ -Composed music for the church and secular
vocal pieces.
◦ -Composed the Motet: “Ave Maria”
 -Polyphonic in texture.
 -Uses 4 voices.
 -Score for Ave Maria.
Composers

Thomas Weelkes
◦ - Lived from 1576-1623
◦ Was an English composer and organist.
◦ Weelkes was best know for his music
especially his Madrigals.
◦ Recall the example for word painting.
◦ Another Weelkes example.
Instrumental Music
More music was written for instruments during
this musical era.
 Instrumental music was commonly used for
dancing.
 Every cultivated person was expected to be
skilled in dance.
 Common Renaissance instruments:

◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
-Shawm
-Lute
-Recorder
-Trumpet
-Viols (Stringed Instrument)