The Renaissance Era

1. The Renaissance Era 1400 – 1600 “Rebirth”

2. Important Developments • Secular music is non-religious music and it was becoming more popular during this time.  There was a rise in instrumental music and dance music, too.      • The printing press was invented during the Renaissance.  Some people consider the printing press to be the most important contribution to civilization in the last one thousand years!  The printing press allowed music to be printed quickly.  Before the Renaissance, music had to be copied by hand.   • One of the most famous persons from the Renaissance was Leonardo da Vinci.  He was known as a Renaissance man because he could do many things well.  He was a painter, architect, inventor, scientist, poet, musician, and teacher. 

3. A Rebirth of Knowledge • Renaissance means rebirth.  • This period saw a rebirth in knowledge.   • The focus of the Renaissance was turning from God to man.  • Science and the arts were becoming more important.  • Christopher Columbus discovered America • Michelangelowas painting the Sistine Chapel.  • William Shakespeare was writing his famous plays. 

4. Medieval to RenaissanceMelody Medieval Renaissance Shorter, balanced Texted melodies often syllabic • Long, asymmetrical • Texted melodies often melismatic

5. Medieval to RenaissanceRhythm Medieval Renaissance Smoother, more regular Often tied to rhythm of words • Restless and active

6. Medieval to Renaissance Harmony Medieval Renaissance Based on triads Dissonance less harsh, usually on weak beats More adventurous in late Renaissance in portraying emotions • Based on fifths and octaves • Unexpected, pungent dissonances

7. Medieval to Renaissance Tone Colour/Timbre Medieval Renaissance Often a cappella or purely instrumental Softer tone colors, ensembles of similar instruments (consorts) • Voices and instruments mixed • Bright tone colors, freely mixed

8. Medieval to Renaissance Texture Medieval Renaissance Mostly polyphonic Often imitative • Monophonic and polyphonic • Non-imitative

9. Medieval to Renaissance Form Medieval Renaissance Some isorhythm, but usually based on text or dance forms Through-composed vocal pieces (madrigal and motet) • Often based on cantus firmus and isorhythm (original chant form) • Vocal refrain forms (virelai, rondeau)

10. A Cappella: The Golden Age of Singing • This was the golden age of the a cappella style.   • That means that singers sang without instruments.  • Vocal music was still more important than instrumental music. 

11. The Madrigal Madrigals were popular during the Renaissance. These song forms were performed in groups of four, five, or six singers.  A madrigal is secular music.  This is non-religious music.  Madrigals vary in terms of content, but many are about love, but could just as likely be about death. The text of the madrigal was the focus and the music was framed around this a cappella form. England in particular has long been noted for its madrigals, with numerous composers of the form such as Thomas Morley. Listen to this recording of Thomas Morley’s “Sing We and Chant it”

12. Sacred Renaissance Music • Religious music was still very important.  Choral music of the Renaissance was an extension of the Gregorian chant.  It was sung a cappellaand sung in Latin.  • Motets were popular during this time.  A motet is a polyphonic work with four or five voice parts singing one religious text.  • Giovanni Palestrina was one the Renaissance period's most important composers.  He was Italian.   He wrote mostly religious works.  He is considered one of the great masters of Renaissance music.  He wrote motets, madrigals, and masses.    

13. Palestirina – Sicut Cirvus Watch the music go by as it plays. What do you notice about the polyphony?

14. The Mass • The musical mass was an important part of the Catholic Church's religious service. • Each part of the celebration would have a different musical number.  • The mass would be sung in Latin. 

15. The Order of the Mass

16. 3 Popular Song Forms of the Renaissance Just remember the Three M's:

17. Instrumental Music • There was a growth in instrumental music, especially the lute and keyboard.  • The most popular instrument of the Renaissance was the lute. 

18. Instrument Families • It was during this period that families of instruments started to develop.  • These families were called consorts.  This is where we get the word concert. 

19. Dance Music • Dancing was a favorite pastime during the Renaissance.  • Educated people were expected to know how to dance.  There were simple dances that were usually danced in chains or circles.  • There were also more difficult dances that required lots of practice.  • Dancing encouraged new forms of instrumental compositions.  • Many songs were written just for dancing.  • Some popular renaissance dances were the branle, pavane, galliard and allemande.

20. Samples of Renaissance Dance Forms The Galliard The Branle

21. Questions for Discussion 1. In a canon, all voices repeat the same melody.  Can you name any canons you have sung?  What else are canons called?   2.  A Renaissance man is someone who is good at everything he tries.  What would you need to do today to be a Renaissance person?  Is there anyone living today you would consider a Renaissance person?  Why would it be harder to be Renaissance person today than during the Renaissance? 3.  How did the printing press change music history?   4.  Name some important ways that the Renaissance is different from the Medieval period. 5.  Why do you think the Medieval period lasted 700 years longer than the Renaissance?  6.  What is the musical texture of most of today's music?