MUSIC OF

RENAISSANCE
PERIOD
1400 - 1600
 What is
Renaissance?
• Renaissance comes from the
word “renataire” which
means “revival”, “rebirth’,
“rediscover”. (spiritual sense)
• Period of “looking back”
• Golden Age
• Renaissance music become
popular as entertainment and
activity for amateurs and
educated.
• Secular music is more
prominent than a sacred music.
• Golden Age of a capella choral
music.
• Lute is the prominent instrument
Lute
 • Discovery of actual position
of earth in solar system.

Copernicus
Characteristics of
Renaissance Music

• Mostly polyphonic
• Imitation among the voices is
common
• Melodic lines move in a
flowing manner
 Vocal Music of
Renaissance Period

•Mass
•Madrigal
 What is Mass?
- Is a form of sacred musical
composition that sets text of
the Eucharistic liturgy into
music
Characteristics of the
Mass
• Polyphonic
• May be sung a capella or
with orchestral
accompaniment.
Five main section of the
Mass
• Kyrie(Lord Have Mercy)
• Gloria(Glory to God in the
Highest)
• Credo(I Believe in One God)
• Sanctus and Benidictus(Holy,
holy and Blessed is He)
• Agnus Dei(Lamb of God)
What is Madrigal?
- A secular vocal polyphonic
music composition which
originated from Italy.
- It is written and expressed in
poetic text and sung during
courtly social gatherings.
- It is the most important form
during the Renaissance
period.
 Characteristics of
Madrigal
• Polyphonic
• Sung a capella
• Trough composed
• Frequently 3 to 6 voices
 Famous composer of the
Renaissance Period
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
(Greatest master of Roman Catholic Church
Music)
 Famous composer of the
Renaissance Period
Thomas Morley
(Most famous composer of Secular Music)
His works
-April is in my Mistress’ Face
-Fire, Fire, My Heart
 Assignments
1. Describe the characteristics of Baroque Music.
2. Explain the different genre of Baroque compositions.
3. Name the famous composer and their famous composition of
Baroque Period.