Medieval and Renaissance Early Music Medieval and Renaissance

Some basic concepts Sacred vs. secular Vocal vs. instrumental Sacred – music written for religious purposes or with religious themes Secular – music of a more worldly nature Vocal vs. instrumental Vocal – uses one or more voices; with or without accompanying instruments Instrumental – uses only instruments; no voices

Medieval Also called the Dark Ages Dark Ages philosophy People are sinful Deserve to lead miserable lives

Medieval culture and society Feudal system was prominent Rich land owners (powerful lords & land owners) Poor peasants (no power) Church (Catholic) was dominant

Sacred Medieval Music Mass was main form of music Both worship and composed in general Sung in Latin Divided into two parts Proper – lyrics changed with the theme Ordinary – lyrics remained the same

5 parts of the ordinary mass Gloria Credo Sanctus Kyrie Agnus dei The lyrics of these sections have been lifted and used in more secular settings

Gregorian chant Named after Pope Gregory Vocal only – no instruments Sung in Latin Monophonic texture Everyone plays or sings the same single melody line with no accompaniment No set meter – follow rhythm of the text Text painting Internet Extra Credit

Secular Medieval Music Mostly vocal – little instrumental Minstrels / troubadors – love songs Motets More complicated Polyphonic texture Different parts sung at the same time Early experiments Beginnings of harmony

Medieval music summary More sacred than secular More vocal than instrumental

Renaissance 1450 – 1600 (approximately) Great discovery, rebirth, & rethinking Began shift to secular outlook on life Focus on life on earth, rather than the afterlife

Culture and society England and Italy were centers of culture Humanism New philosophy (we’re not so bad) Arts and sciences flourished

Leonardo di Vinci Artist and scientist

Michelangelo

Explorations pushed the envelope of thinking and discovery Christopher Columbus Vasco de Gamma Magellan

Printing press invented Middle class emerges Merchants Trade from far off lands (explorers) Printing press invented First music published in 1501 in Venice Made music more available to middle class

Reformation Martin Luther Broke away from Catholic church Start of Protestant denominations Services in native language Simple congregational hymn or chorale Sung in native language Set off Counter-Reformation Reactions of Catholic church Allowed instruments in worship

Sacred Renaissance Music Reformation brought simple hymns Chorale Counter-Reformation allowed instruments Gabrielli – brass Antiphony – early “stereo” Mass was still important Palestrina important composer

Renaissance Secular Music New forms for songs / compositions Vocal madrigal Lively, often bawdy Monteverdi, Morely (3 M’s) Ballett English composition “fa-la-la-la-la”

Important part of everyday life Middle class entertained with music Competed for largest group of musicians Printed music now available Guests and host would sing or play after meals (consorts)

Beginnings of patronage system System by which musicians could earn a living Composers, singers, instrumentalists Could not work independently Employed by the church, royalty, or wealthy family (this will last for many, many years to come)

Instrumental music began to grow Consorts – groups of instruments built in different sizes but were really the same instrument Viols and recorders Dance music Galliard – lively, quick Pavane – slow and stately

Music Summary Wide use of 4-part polyphony Polyphonic texture Different melodies at the same time Increase in secular – still more sacred Increase in instrumental – still more vocal Compared to Medieval