Chapter 6 The Renaissance

Music as Expression

Key Terms
Declamation Word painting Italian madrigal English madrigal

Music as Expression
Composers inspired by descriptions of ancient Greek music
The power of music to arouse deep emotions Orpheus and his lyre (or David and his harp?)

Unlike earlier music, Josquins music began to illustrate words and phrases Two important developments
Accurate declamation Word painting

Declamation
Declamation is the manner in which words are set to music Accurate declamation uses rhythms that closely match natural speech rhythms Starting with Josquin, composers began to use more accurate declamation Late Renaissance reliance on homophonic texture reflects increasing use of good declamation

Word Painting
Musical illustration of the meaning of a word or phrase
Rapid notes for fly or glitter High notes or upward leaps for up or heaven Descending motive or a rest for sigh Dissonances or chromatic harmonies for grief, cruel, torment, harsh, or alas

The Madrigal
Originated in Italy around 1530 Short composition set to one-stanza poem Most often a love poem Rapid change of ideas and images echoed by changing motives and textures of musical setting
Alternation between imitation and homophony (similar to Mass and motet)

One singer to a part, meant for intimate setting

The Madrigal
But unlike Mass or motet:
Points of imitation were shorter Imitation was less strict Often much more homophony Words were much more important Declamation and word painting used with great variety and subtlety

No genre realized Renaissance ideal of music as expression as fully as the madrigal

Weelkes, As Vesta Was from Latmos Hill Descending

Madrigal also proved enormously popular in late Renaissance England Words for Weelkess madrigal written to honor Queen Elizabeth (Oriana!) Bright, exuberant musical setting
Simple rhythms Clear harmonies Crisp, engaging melodic motives Accurate declamation and frequent word painting Score

Word Painting in Weelkess Madrigal