‘Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Music Music of the Renaissance Period (1400-1600) The term Renaissance comes from the word renaitre which means “rebirth,” “revival,” and “rediscovery.” The Renaissance Period isa period of of “looking back” to the Golden Age of Greece and Rome. The invention of printing in the 1400s paved the way for a wide distribution of renaissance compositions. With the emergence of the bourgeois class, renaissance music became popular as entertainment and activity for amateurs and the educated. Lute was the prominent instrument of the renaissance era. The influence of the Roman Catholic Church started to decline asthe new music genre ‘arose. Though sacred music was still of great importance, secular music became more prominent in the renaissance period. This era was also known as the “golden age” of a capella choral music. Other historical facts during this era is the discovery of the actual position of the earth in the solar system by Copernicus, the invention of the compass creating a wider navigation not only of the lands but also of the oceans, and Martin Luther's Protestant reformation. Characteristics of Renaissance Music: + Mostly polyphonic + Imitation among the voices is common + Use of word painting in texts and music + Melodic lines move in a flowing manner + Melodies are easier to perform because these move along a scale with a few large leaps. Vocal Music of the Renaissance Period 1. Mass is a form of sacred musical composition that sets textsof the Eucharistic liturgy into music. Characteristics of the Mass: + Polyphonic + May be sung a cappella or with orchestral accompaniment + Textmay be syllabic (one note set to each syllable), neumatic (a few notes set to one syllable), or melismatic (many notes to one syllable)Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Music Famous Composers of the Renaissance Period 1. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Rome, 1525 - February 2, 1594 Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina is said to be the greatest master of Roman Catholic Church music during the Renaissance period. Majority of his compositions are sacred music. He was committed to sacred music and has a keen interest in satisfying the desires of church leaders in the sixteenth century, Palestrina's Pope Marcellus Mass is held up as the perfect example of counter-reformation style. Kyrie is part of the first two sections of the Pope Marcellus Mass. His career reflects his commitment to the music of the church. He received his early training and spent the majority of his career in various churches in Rome, including the Pope's chapel. He was an organist and choir master at both the Sistine Chapel and at St. Peter's Basilica which may have influenced his distinctively pure and restrained style in musical compositions. Palestrina also served as an organist in St. Agapito. His first book, Masses became popular and was greatly appreciated by Pope Julius 111. Palestrina has two sons but lost them both during the plague epidemic that struck Rome in 1570s. He had planned to become a priest but eventually changed his mind and married a wealthy widow. This improved his wealth and enabled him to pursue a musical career for the rest of his life. Listen to the links below that feature the opening Kyrie. (Excerpt from “Pope Marcellus’ Mass”) http://www -youtube.com/watch?: http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=NB-i_VoQPt8 2. Thomas Morley, 1557-1602 Morley, the son of a brewer, was born in Norwich, East England. He was a singer in the local cathedral from his boyhood, and he became master of choristers there in 1583. Thomas Morley was the most famous composer of secular music in his time. He was a singer in the local cathedral during his childhood and was believed to have studied music with William Byrd, an Elizabethan composer of sacred music. He received his Bachelor's degree in Oxford and became an organist at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. "He tried imitating Byrd in his early works but veered composing madrigals that show a variety of color, form, and t Most of his madrigals are light and easy to sing with some Italian style. His Musica Transalpina, a collection of Italian madris ‘with English text, was published in 1588 by Nicholas Yonge. Shortly: began publishing his own collections of madrigals and made si contribution to the history of music. His works include: + “Fire, Fire, My Heart” + “Sing and Chant It” *: “Fantasie” Face” + “Aprilis in My Mistress + “It Was a Lover and His Lass’ Research and listen to Thomas Morley’s works. You may use the following links that feature a madrigal com “Fire, Fire, My Heart.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61aEb5sQt6-U_ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBWKp4-_w4E REFLECTION: more? Why? 1. Which madrigal did you enjoy 2, Based on what you have heard, do you agree that the composi Palestrina and Morley reflect their personalities? Why or why not? 12