Music of The Renaissance
Music of The Renaissance
Music of The Renaissance
RENAISSANCE
1450 - 1600
Music 2
Doctolero . Maroma . Pestano. Samson . Villena
Introduction
THE RENAISSANCE
PERIOD
Renaissance
• In the history of music, the period
from 1450 – 1600 is known as the
“Renaissance”.
• The word Renaissance literally
means “rebirth”.
Renaissance
• The humanism movement surfaced
during the Renaissance period.
• This movement focused on man and
his accomplishments.
• Christianity and Catholic Church
were rocked by the Protestant
Reformer, Martin Luther (1483 –
1546).
The Renaissance Period
• In the renaissance period, a training
in music is considered a must for an
educated person.
• Everywhere, musicians worked in
towns, courts, and churches.
• The size of church choirs multiplied.
The choirs were predominantly male.
During the Renaissance
Period…
• Although the church remained a patron of
music, the court became the center of
musical activity.
• Composers were in demand by kings, dukes
and princesses.
• The status of musicians was elevated and
they were paid higher.
• The leading composers came from the
Netherlands.
• Italy was the leading music center of the
Renaissance.
Renaissance
• The Renaissance period is
sometimes referred to as “The
Golden Age of Polyphony”, because
vocal polyphony culminated to
perfection.
Moving on…
THE DISTINGUISHING
CHARACTERISTICS OF
RENAISSANCE MUSIC
Characteristics of
Renaissance Music
• The repertoire of instrumental
music expanded and the invention of
new musical instruments abound.
The instruments of the period were
enhanced.
• Secular music was rising and was
more civilized, but spiritual music
still occupied a dominant position
during the period.
Characteristics of
Renaissance Music
• Musical harmony was more
expressive and unrestrained during
the Renaissance as compared with
the medieval period.
Polyphonic Technique
• An important polyphonic technique,
imitation, surfaced. Imitation occurs
when one musical line shares or
imitates the sung musical theme of the
preceding line. This gives the listeners
the ability to decipher the musical
composition’s structure. The
Renaissance period between Joaquin
Deprez and Palestrina was known as
the “golden age of the polyphony”.
Vocal Polyphony
• Vocal polyphony culminated to a high
degree of perfection with equal
importance given to four or more
voices. The main forms of spiritual
polyphony are the masses and the
motets. Motets, madrigals, and songs
usually accompanied by a lute or a
small orchestra were the secular vocal
forms. Short polyphonics or dancing
music were the instrumental works of
the Renaissance period.
Characteristics of
Renaissance Music
• The use of church modes or
modality still predominates sacred
and secular music.
• There is the prevalence in musical
compositions of clarity, balance and
euphony in moderation. There are no
extreme contracts in rhythm and
tone color.
Characteristics of
Renaissance Music
• Musical literature flourished due to
the innovation of printing press.
• Acapella singing in the church music
developed. It is singing without
accompaniment or chorus without
instrumental backup.
More about Renaissance
COMPOSERS
Giovanni Da Palestrina
• Palestrina (1525 – 1594),
Giovanni Da Palestrina
an Italian, considered as
the prolific writer of
sacred vocal polyphony,
wrote masses, motels,
hymns, and other sacred
works for the Catholic
Church.
Orlando di Lasso
Orlando di Lasso
• Di Lasso (1532 – 1594), a
Flemish composer, wrote
musical compositions of
sacred and secular nature.
He is subjective and
passionate in his creations.
Di Lasso wrote Italian
madrigals, Latin masses
and motets, and German
lieder.
• The Penitential Psalms of
David is a Lasso creation.
Claudio Monteverdi
Claudio Monteverdi
• Monteverdi (1567 –
1643), an Italian
composer, composed
music for operas
utilizing chordal
accompaniment. Among
his works are the
Return of Ulysses and
The Coronation of
Poppea.
Renaissance Period
A QUICK REVIEW
Lesson Review
• Renaissance Period is from 1450 –
1600.
• Renaissance means “rebirth”.
• Vocal forms are motet, mass, and
madrigal.
• The lute is the basic instrument of the
Renaissance period.
• The composers are Giovanni da
Palestrina, Orlando di Lasso and
Claudio Monteverdi.
QUIZ ON
RENAISSANCE PERIOD
IDENTIFICATION
1. This term literally means rebirth.
2. This is the basic instrument of the
Renaissance period.
3. Other term for the Renaissance period; This
was named so because vocal polyphony
culminated to perfection during Renaissance.
4. He was considered as the prolific writer of
sacred vocal polyphony. He wrote masses,
motels, hymns, and other sacred works for
the Catholic Church.
5. Leading music center of Renaissance.
TRUE OR FALSE
1. (Motet, Mass or Madrigal)