Music of the Renaissance Period (1400 – 1600) MAPEH 9

The term ―Renaissance comes from the word ―renaitre which means “rebirth‖, ―revival‖, and ―rediscover. The Renaissance Period is a period of ―looking back‖ to the Golden Age of Greece and Rome. The invention of printing in the 1400’s paved the way for a wide distribution of renaissance compositions. With the emergence of the bourgeois class, renaissance music became popular as entertainment and activity for amateurs and the educated. Lute was the prominent instrument of the renaissance era.

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 Melodies are easier to perform because these move along a scale with a few large leaps
Vocal Music of the Renaissance Period 1. Mass – is a form of sacred musical composition that sets texts of the Eucharistic liturgy into music. Characteristics of the Mass: Polyphonic May be sung a cappella or with orchestral accompaniment Text may be syllabic (one note set to each syllable), neumatic (a few notes set to one syllable), or melismatic (many notes to one syllable)

Five Main Sections of Mass: 

1. Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy)

2. Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest)

3. Credo (I Believe in One God) 

4. Sanctus and Benedictus (Holy, holy and Blessed Is He) 

5. Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)

Famous Composers of the Renaissance Period

1. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Rome, 1525 - February 2,1594 Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina is said to be the greatest master of Roman Catholic Church music during the Renaissance period. Majority of his compositions are sacred music. He was committed to sacred music and has a keen interest in satisfying the desires of church leaders in the sixteenth century. Palestrina’s Pope Marcellus Mass is held up as the perfect example of counter. Kyrie is part of the first two sections of the Pope Marcellus Mass.
2. Thomas Morley 1557 – 1602 Morley was born in Norwich, East England, the son of a brewer. He was a singer in the local cathedral from his boyhood, and he became master of choristers there in 1583.Thomas Morley was the most famous composer of secular music in his time. His works include: Fire, Fire, My Heart Sing and Chant It Fantasie April Is In My Mistress‟ Face It Was A Lover and His Lass