RENAISSANCE TO BAROQUE

Welcome to Music History

Composers and their dates

Renaissance Composers: Giovanni Palestrina: 1525 – 1594

Known for writing Catholic music

Claudio Monteverdi: 1567 – 1643 One of the first composers to write opera – “L’Orfeo”

Baroque Composers: Antonio Vivaldi: 1678 – 1741

Known for writing the “Four Seasons”

Georg Philipp Telemann: 1681 – 1767 Wrote A LOT of music

Johann Sebastian Bach: 1685 – 1750 20 children Wrote Toccata and Fugue in d minor

Georg Friedrich Händel: 1685 – 1759 Wrote The Messiah (Hallelujah Chorus)

Renaissance Music Era Renaissance (French – “rebirth”):

Renewal of European interest in ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Artistry and writing was secular as well as religious Music and art was geared not only towards a religious nature but

now also towards achieving a fulfilled life on earth. Music of the Renaissance:

Canon - when several voices sing the same melody but enter at different times, or enter simultaneously but sing at different tempos

Mass – Music written to follow the Catholic Mass Madrigal - a poetic form set to music; sung in Italy and popular in

the late 16th and early 17th centuries Motet – (From Fr. “mot” = word) – Polyphonic vocal piece usually

sung in Latin with sacred text.

Renaissance Instruments

The Catholic Mass – 5 parts

Kyrie e Leison: Lord Have Mercy

Gloria in excelsis Deo: Glory to God in the highest

Credo: Creed/credence: statement of belief

Sanctus: Sanctify or make holy Benedictus: benediction – blessing

Agnus Dei: Lamb of God

Baroque Music Era

Baroque – (Port. – barroco = “misshapen” as in a bulbous pearl) Period of music history from ca. 1580 – ca. 1730 Relating to a style of European architecture, music and art of the 17th and

18th centuries that was very detailed and ornate Examples: Palace of Versailles and work of Bernini in Italy (St. Peter’s

Basilica) Music of the Baroque era:

Opera – Dramatic stage composition, ordinarily in two or more acts with costumes, sets and scenery

Cantata – Composition for solo voice usually with instrumental accompaniment; sometimes sacred

Chamber music – Ensemble music with only one instrument per part Orchestral music – Large ensemble music with multiple instrument per

part Concerto – Composition for one or more soloists performing with

instrumental or orchestral accompaniment

Baroque Instruments

HarpsichordViolin

Baroque orchestra

Recorders

Harp