MODULE 1,2: Music of Renaissance Period

• Pitch


  How high or how low a note sounds
• Rhythm


  Sounds and silences put together to form patterns that are repeated to create a steady beat
• Melody


  A pleasing series of musical notes that form the main part of a song or piece of music
• Timbre/Tone color


  The sound quality or characteristic that allows us to distinguish between one instrument and another, and the difference between vowel sounds
• Dynamics


  How loud or quiet the music should be played, can change suddenly or gradually (crescendo - getting louder , decrescendo - getting softer)
• Tempo


  • Adagio (slow)
  • Andante (moderate/walking pace)
  • Moderato (medium)
  • Allegro (quick and lively)
• Binary form


  Musical form with two similar sections (A and B) that are repeated
• Mass


  A form of sacred musical composition that sets the text of the eucharistic liturgy into music
• 5 Sections of Mass:

  • Kyrie - the only section of mass with Greed text
  • Gloria - Glory to God in the Highest
  • Credo - I believe in One God
  • Sanctus and Benedictus - Holy, Holy blessed is He
  • Agnus Dei - Lamb of God
• Madrigal


  A secular vocal polyphonic music composition that originated in Italy, sung during courtly social gatherings
• Thomas Morley was the most famous composer of secular music in his time during the Renaissance period
• Timbre / Tone color


  Refers to the quality of a sound made by a particular voice or musical instrument.
• Texture


  Use to describe how sound is organized, might be described as high or low depending on time pitch; as thick or thin.
• 3 Types of Texture:

  • Polyphonic - many sounds
  • Monophonic - single melodic line
  • Homophonic - one voice stands out on top of backing harmony
• Tempo 


  The speed which a piece of music should be played
• Renaissance Music


  Means rebirth, rediscover and revival. An era of discovery, innovation and exploration.
• Mass may be:

  • Syllabic - one note to each syllable
  • Neumatic - a few notes set to one syllable
  • Melimastic - many notes to one syllable
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (Rome 1525 - Feb. 2, 1594) 


  Was the greatest master of Roman Catholic church music during the Renaissance period.
• Thomas Morley ( 1557 - 1602 )


  Was born in Norwich, East England the son of brewer. The most famous composer of secular music in his time during the Renaissance period.