1. Renaissance Period -Another name for this period is “Rebirth.” -The Renaissance Period was from the years 1450-1600. -This period is also considered the “Dominant intellectual movement.” -Humanism-Focused on human life and its accomplishments. Humanists were not concerned with the afterlife. (i.e. Heaven and Hell)

2. Renaissance Period  The Roman Catholic Church (R.C.C.) became less powerful  Aristocrats (wealthy business people) and the upper middle class considered education a status symbol.  The invention of printing helped accelerate both the learning and the spread of music.

3. Music in the Renaissance Period

4.  Musical texture was mostly polyphonic.polyphonic  Imitation was often used.  The Renaissance Period is often called the “Golden age of unaccompanied vocal music.” “Golden age of unaccompanied vocal music.  Score in modern notation. Score in modern notation.  Many pieces had 4,5, or 6 voice parts.  A cappella - Unaccompanied vocal music.

5. Music in the Renaissance Period  Large courts might employ 30 musicians playing all types of instruments.  These courts gave musicians jobs.courts gave musicians

6. Renaissance Period  Every educated person was expected to be trained in music.  Vocal music was more important than instrumental. Galliard Dance. Vocal musicinstrumental Galliard Dance  Musicians were hired to play for churches, courts (royal and aristocratic), and towns.

7. Renaissance Period  Lyrics were used to create a relationship between words and music.  Word Painting (Text Painting)-A musical representation of poetic images. Word Painting  For example-descending from heaven-the melody would start high and get lower.

8. Secular Renaissance Music  Secular music became more popular.  One important kind of secular music was the madrigal.madrigal  Madrigal – A piece for several voices set to a short poem, about love.

9. Sacred Renaissance Music  Two main forms sacred music:  -Mass – Polyphonic piece of music used in church services.  -Motet – A polyphonic piece of music, set to the Latin text of the bible, not used in church services.  Cantus firmus  A preexisting melody forming the basis of a polyphonic composition.  Used in Sacred music, usually a hymn or an important chant.  Found in the tenor part, mostly.

10. Composers  Guillaume Dufay  Lived 1397-1474  Considered the first composer of the renaissance.  Composed sacred and secular music.  One of the most published and sung composers wherever polyphony had taken root.  Composed Ave Maris StellaAve Maris Stella  Fauxbourdon – false bass. Cantus firmus in the second voice, and a new bass line is made to cadence.

11. Composers  Johannes Ockeghem  Lived 1410-1497  Composed sacred and secular music.  Composed Mort tu as navré/MiserereMort tu as navré/Miserere  Written as a tribute to his friend and fellow composer Binchois.  A motet in structure.  Uses fauxbourdon  Mimics Binchois in texture.

12. Composers  Josquin des Prez  Lived from 1450-1521.  Composed music for the church and secular vocal pieces.  Studied under Ockeghem.  Composed the Motet: “Ave Maria”Ave Maria  Polyphonic in texture.  Uses 4 voices.  Score for Ave Maria.Ave Maria

13. Composers  Giovani Pierluigi da Palestrina  Lived from 1525-1594  Composer that devoted himself to the church.  Composed the “Pope Marcellus Mass.”Pope Marcellus Mass  The piece was written for six voices and helped convince the church to keep polyphonic music in church services.

14. Composers TThomas Weelkes --Lived from 1576-1623 WWas an English composer and organist. WWeelkes was best known for his music especially his Madrigals. RRecall the example for word painting. AAnother Weelkes example.

15. Instrumental Music MMore music was written for instruments during this musical era. IInstrumental music was commonly used for dancing. EEvery cultivated person was expected to be skilled in dance. CCommon Renaissance instruments: --Shawm --Lute --Recorder --Trumpet --Viols (Stringed Instrument)