Transcript The Renaissance

THE RENAISSANCE
1400-1600 AD
BEGINNING OF THE RENAISSANCE
Began slowly, at different times in different
regions in Europe
Began as early as 1350 in Italy, but didn’t
arrive in France until 1500
England didn’t join in until 1550!
BEGINNING OF THE RENAISSANCE
Art, music, and literature also joined the
Renaissance at different times
Art historians say the Renaissance began in
painting in the 1330s
Literary historians say Renaissance poetry
began around 1350
Music historians say Renaissance music does
not appear until after the 1420s
ABOUT THE RENAISSANCE
Literally translates as “rebirth” in French
A time of advancement in society:
Exploration (Christopher Columbus)
Art (Michaelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci)
Poetry and Plays (William Shakespeare)
Technology- printing press (Johann Gutenberg)
Music- Josquin des Prez, Giovanni Palestrina
WHAT DOES THE MUSIC SOUND LIKE?
Voices and instruments began to work
together to create harmony on purpose
Dissonant, clashing harmonies were avoided
Polyphonic melodies use a technique called
imitation:
One melody duplicates (or imitates) the notes &
rhythms of another for a few measures
EXAMPLE OF IMITATION IN POLYPHONIC MUSIC
POLYPHONIC VOCAL MUSIC
During the Renaissance, vocal music grew to
include up to FOUR melodies performed at
the same time
Four-part polyphonic vocal music is called a
motet
Unlike music of the Medieval Period, words
to the motets were LESS important than the
music
Music was considered an art form
PROTESTANT REFORMATION
Around 1500 AD many people broke away
from the Roman Catholic Church to form
their own congregations
Called Protestant Churches
Protestant churches used music meant for
singing by the WHOLE congregation, not just
the choir like the Catholic churches
PROTESTANT REFORMATION
Singing by the whole congregation is called
chorale singing
These chorales are the basis for many hymns
that are still sung in churches today
Always sung in the common language, NOT
Latin
RISE OF THE MIDDLE CLASS
During the Renaissance, the wealth that
belonged to the nobles began to trickle
down to the lower classes
People moved to cities and spent more time
seeing plays and concerts
Music was made part of a well-rounded
education! Yay!
THE PRINTING PRESS
Invented in 1450 by Johann Gutenberg
Books and sheet music could be printed and
made available to the public
Middle class learned to play instruments and
read music using books for lute, recorder,
and guitar
SECULAR MUSIC: MADRIGALS
Madrigals, or songs for small groups of voices
without instruments, became the most
popular form of secular music during the
Renaissance
Subjects usually about love
Became an important part of special
occasions
MADRIGALS
King Henry VIII of England liked them so
much he had them sung at feasts and
weddings
Often had repeated choruses like the
popular music of today
What we think of as “sailor songs” and uses
stereotypical “fa-la-las”
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
During the Renaissance people began
writing polyphonic pieces just for
instruments
Often written to accompany ballroom
dancing
Instruments and voices were sometimes
combined for variety
EL GRILLO (“THE CRICKET”)
Composed by Josquin des Prez
Music and text work together to imitate the
sound of a cricket
MEDIEVAL VS. RENAISSANCE
Music of the Medieval Period
 Simple melodies
 Polyphonic music only used two
melodies
Music of the Renaissance
 Polyphonic music grew to four
melodies
 Music became more of an art
form