Renaissance

music
One of the most
important eras for music
What type of instruments were used?

• Sometimes percussion instruments were

added to the music including drums and
tambourines. The ballet was first
introduced during the Italian Renaissance
courts of the nobles. It moved to France
and became very popular when Catherine
De Medici became queen.
• The recorder was a common instrument
during the Renaissance period. Rather than
a reed, it uses a whistle mouthpiece as its
main source of sound production. It is
usually made with seven finger holes and a
thumb hole.
Who were the most
famous musicians?
• The Englishman William Byrd was born in 1543
and died as one of the most iconic and famous
Renaissance composers known.
• Some of the most famous musicians were known
as: Josquin des Prez (1450 – 1520), Giovanni
Palestrina (1525 – 1594), Gregorio Allegri (1582 –
1652), Thomas Tallis (1505 – 1575).
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina was an Italian
Renaissance composer of sacred music and the
best-known 16th-century representative of the
Roman School of musical composition.
Renaissance songs
• Renaissance music still known today are a
huge part of Disney and include: circle of
life, friend like me, be our guest, beauty
and the beast and be prepared.
• Unlike the motet of the medieval period,
Renaissance music was more vocal and
instrumental. In fact, songs had an
increased number of independent lines
playing simultaneously than they previously
had. These advancements facilitated the
rise in the quality and quantity of vocal
compositions.