MUSIC OF THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD (1400-1600)

• Renaissance comes from the word ”Renaitre” which means “rebirth”, a secular rebirth for men delighted with life.
• The influence of the Roman Catholic started to decline as the new music genre arose. Though sacred music was still of great importance, renaissance period. This era was also known as the “Acapella Choral Music.
• One of the most important events during the Rennaissance was the invention of printing and paper in 1450 and also music was an important part in the lives of the upper and middle classes.
• Lute was the prominent instrument of the renaissance era.
• Characteristics of Renaissance music - mostly polyphonic, imitation of voices is common, use of word painting and music, melodic lines move in a flowing manner.
• Mostly polyphonic - having 2 or more voices or parts, each with independent melody.
• Mass - is a form of sacred musical composition that sets text of the Eucharistic liturgy into music.
• Characteristics of the mass - polyphonic, maybe sung in acapella or with orchestral accompaniment, text may be syllabic (one note set to each syllable), nuematic (a few notes set to one syllable) or melismatic (many notes to one syllable).
• The five main sections of the mass are KYRIE (LORD HAVE MERCY), GLORIA (GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST), CREDO (I BELIEVE IN ONE GOD), SANCTUS AND BENEDICTUS (HOLY, HOLY, AND BLESSED IS HE), AGNUS DEI (LAMB OF GOD).
• Madrigal - a secular vocal polyphonic music composition which originated from Italy.
• Madrigal - it is written and expressed in a poetic text and sung during courtly social gatherings. It is most important secular from during the renassaince period.
• Characteristiics of the madriigal - polyphonic, sung in acapella, and frequently in 3-6 voices.
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525 - febuary 2. 1594) — greatest master of Roman Catholic Church during the Renaissance period. Majority of his composition are sacred music. He was commited to sacred music and has a keen interest in satisfying the desires of the church leaders in sixteenth century.
• Thomas morley (1557-1602) - Was born in Norwich, East England. He was a singer in the local cathedral from his boyhood, and he became master of choristers there in 1583.