 RENAISSANCE PERIOD

“Revival of Interest in
Music”
Teacher Eugene
 RENAISSANCE (1400-1600)
• Means “rebirth”.
• A period of exploration, learning and
achievement.
• A time where authority and influence of the
church became less powerful.
• Secular music began to rise.
 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

• Martin Luther founded the protestant

church.
• Discovery of music printing.
• Height of Shakespeare drama.
Renaissance Period is sometimes referred to
as
“GOLDEN AGE OF POLYPHONY”
 What happened during the period?

•Vocal music was very important than

instrumental music.
What characterizes Renaissance music?
• Polyphonic in texture.
• Development of word painting (a style where
the music and words illustrated the meaning of
the text.)
• Invention of music printing
• Rise of secular music
SACRED & SECULAR VOCAL
FORMS
 MOTET

• A polyphonic choral works in Latin text.

• Can be used in any service of the church.
• Usually in A capella
• Smooth sounding and imitative in nature.
 MASS

• A renaissance form of sacred composition.

• Imitation (echoed entrances) is an
important feature.
• Sections: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus
Benedictus, Agnus Dei
 MADRIGAL

• A secular polyphonic work for a small

group of unaccompanied singers.
• Most artistic genre of secular vocal music
and are sung in Italian or English.
COMPOSERS
GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA
PALESTRINA
- The Greatest master of Roman
catholic church, composes
sacred music.
- Pope Marcellus Mass is help up
as perfect example of counter-
reformation style.
- His career reflects his
commitment to the music of the
church.
THOMAS MORLEY
- A singer in the local cathedral and
became master of chorister in
1583.
- His early veered towards
composing madrigals that shows a
variety of color, form and
technique.
- His Musica Transalpina, a
collection of his Madrigals made
significant to the history of music.
“Change the World,
Teach Music”