Renaissance Music (1400 1600)

Handout
The people of the Renaissance era focused on the glory of the human
person. Hence, the artists of this era made works about humanism the intellectual movement focused on human life and its
accomplishments.
Protestantism/ Reformation - questioned the teachings and rituals of
the Catholic Church, Martin Luther
Council of Trent a convention aimed to amend the church
teachings as response to the 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 (round song effect)

Renaissance was considered the Golden age of a capella music.

Mona Lisa, Leonardo Da Vinci

Sacred Music: Mass and Motet

Mass - form of sacred musical composition that sets texts of the
Eucharistic liturgy into music.
Kyrie
Gloria
Credo
Sanctus and Benedictus
Agnus Dei
Listen to: Kyrie by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n8XdKkrqgo
Vitruvian Man, Leonardo Da Vinci

Motet - form of sacred musical composition that sets a polyphonic choral work to a sacred Latin text other
than the ordinary of the mass.
Listen to: Ave Maria Virgina Serena by Joasquin de Prez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt3H2uGxFLI
Secular Music: Madrigal
Madrigal form of secular vocal polyphonic music composition that is written
and expressed in poetic text (poetry set to music). And it is sung during social
gatherings.
Listen: April Is In My Mistress Face by Thomas Morley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4vE2lZWZVU
Lute is the most prominent instrument of the Renaissance era.