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The Renaissance1450-1600

Where was Music?

Church Still importance, but decreasing in importance

Courts Nobility brought their musicians when traveling to

different courts

Towns Weddings Religious services

Musicians

Higher status

Higher pay

Women as virtuoso singers

Wanted credit for their work

Characteristics of Music

Words and Music Emotions “Word painting”

Mostly polyphonic

Using more harmonies

Vocal music and instrumental music still separate

Sacred Music

Forms Motet – a polyphonic choral work set to Latin text Mass – a polyphonic choral work made up of the Mass Ordinary

Composers Josquin dez Prez (1440-1521)

Works influenced other composers Ave Maria…Virgo Serena (Hail Mary…Serene Virgin)

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594) Italian Music director for St. Peter’s church Pope Marcellus Mass (Agnus Dei)

Council of Trent

1545-1563

Wants to strengthen Catholic church

Music discussion Gregorian chant vs. Polyphony Chose polyphony because it “inspired religious

contemplation”

Secular Music

Vocal music set to poems

Music printing

Word painting

Composers imitated bird calls and street sounds

Music was a mandatory part of education

An important entertainment activity

Secular Music, cont.

Forms Madrigal

For several solo voices set to a short poem Usually about love Word painting Started in Italy and moved west to England

English madrigal lighter and more humorous Composers

Carlo Gesualdo (Italy) Thomas Weelkes (England)

As Vesta Was Descending

As Vesta Was Descending

As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending She spied a maiden queen the same ascending Attended on by all the shepherds swain, To whom Diana’s darlings came running down amain. First two by two, Then three by three together Leaving their goddess all alone, hasted tither And mingling with the shepherds of her train With mirthful tunes her presence entertain. Then sang the shepherds and nymphs of Diana, Long live fair Oriana!

Secular Music, cont

Forms, cont. Instrumental music

Indoor instruments (harpsichord, organ, lute) Outdoor instruments (sackbut, shawm, recorder) Dancing Gavotte

Activity

Get with a partner

Read and copy the lyrics to Thomas Weelkes’ Four Arms, Two Necks, and One Wreathing

Using the concept of word painting, underline certain words (your choice) and explain what you would do to demonstrate those words through music

Each group needs a minimum of 7 underlined words