Download Renaissance 1450 - 1600 - Keating

Renaissance 1450 - 1600
Mrs. Keating Grade 9 Fine Arts
HISTORICAL THEMES
A Rebirth of Classical
Learning

The rediscovery
and reevaluation
of writings of the
ancient Greeks
and Romans
suggested a
"rebirth".
HISTORICAL THEMES
The gradual change
from the feudal
system to the modern
system

The hierarchical (top
to bottom) state, led
by either the rich or
nobility, replaced the
feudal system of the
Middle Ages.
HISTORICAL THEMES
A change in the views of
the earth and the
cosmos
Christopher Columbus
and Ferdinand Magellan
expanded Europe's view of
the world through
exploration. The
astronomical studies of
Nicolaus Copernicus and
Galileo Galilei called into
question the old earthcentered view of the
universe.
The Arts



Michelangelo was painting
the Sistine Chapel.
William Shakespeare was
writing his famous plays.
One of the most famous
persons from the
Renaissance was Leonardo
da Vinci. He was known as
a Renaissance man
because he could do many
things well. He was a painter,
architect, inventor, scientist,
poet, musician, and teacher.
MUSICAL CONTEXT
Increased Interest in
Humanist Learning



The arts became an
important measure of
learning and culture.
Music moved from the
science of number to
an expressive art.
The printing press
was invented
increasing access to
music and books about
music.
MUSICAL CONTEXT
Increased Patronage
of Music


The rich courts and civic
governments wanted
musicians for
themselves
Musical support was
also provided by the
religious institutions of
the day.
MUSICAL CONTEXT
Territorial Expansion and Increased Wealth


As a result of colonial expansion, great wealth flowed into
European cities and courts.
Travel and the resulting musical exchange became a driving
force for the creation of a more international musical style.
MUSICAL STYLE

Sacred music: the motet (four part music and
up to 12 parts) and Mass. Motet
 Secular music: Composers created new forms
such as the Italian madrigal and the French
chanson.
 Instrumental music: The rise of music printing
encouraged the spread of instrumental music
for amateurs, and more specific types
emerged. Music Example with period costume
MUSICAL STYLE
All three types of music
share
many musical features





The use of four-voice
choirs or groups of likesounding instruments
(consorts)
Imitative or homophonic
(chordal) textures
Smooth, gentle rhythms.
Melodies with balanced
phrases.
Vocal forms tied to text.
GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA
Born: c.1525. Palestrina, Italy
Died: February 2, 1594. Rome, Italy
Italian composer of sacred music.
Active in Rome through most of
his career.
Did Palestrina save church music?
This is the legend repeated by
various authors. According to this
myth, the members of the Council of
Trent were poised on the brink of
banning polyphonic music in the
church. It was only after hearing a
piece by Palestrina that they
relented.
Sanctus
CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI
Born: May 15, 1567.
Cremona, Italy
Died: November 29, 1643.
Venice, Italy
Italian composer. Leading
composer of the late
Renaissance and Early
Baroque, and the first great
composer of operas.
CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI




He published his first pieces,
a collection of three-voice
motets, at the age of fifteen.
In 1607 he produced his first
work in the new genre of
opera, his setting of Orfeo.
In 1613, he was appointed
maestro di cappella at St.
Mark's Cathedral in Venice.
He remained in Venice for the
rest of his life.
Orfeo with Renaissance
Instruments