Transcript lecture 15

Introduction to Music:
Musical Eras
 Renaissance Period:

The Renaissance was a time of rebirth in learning, science, and the arts throughout Europe.
The rediscovery of the writings of ancient Greece and Rome led to a renewed interest in
learning in general.
 The invention of the printing press allowed the disbursement of this knowledge in an
unprecedented manner. The invention of the compass permitted the navigation of the
world's oceans and the subsequent discovery of lands far removed from the European
continent.
 With Copernicus' discovery of the actual position of the earth in the solar system and
Martin Luther's Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church lost its grip on society and a
humanist spirit was born. This spirit manifested itself in the painting and sculpture of
Michelangelo, the plays of Shakespeare, and in both the sacred and secular dance and
vocal music of the greatest composers of the era.
 The style of renaissance church music is described as choral polyphony Choral polyphony was
intended to be sung a cappella (without instruments) They had four parts, based on modes, but
composers gradually added more accidentals.
 One of the most noticeable differences between Medieval and Renaissance styles, is that of
musical texture, Renaissance composer aimed to blend them together. Instead of building up the
texture layer by layer, he worked gradually through the piece, attending to all parts
simultaneously. The key device used to weave this kind of texture is called imitation. Composers
were becoming more interested and aware of harmony.
 Key points of the Renaissance
 Music still based on modes, but gradually more accidentals creep in.
 Richer texture in four or more parts. Bass part is added below the tenor.
 Blending rather than contrasting strands in the musical texture.
 Harmony. Greater concern with the flow and progression of chords.
 Church music. Some pieces were intended for 'a cappella' performance.
Mainly contrapuntal. Lots of imitation. Some church music was accompanied
by instruments - for example polychoral pieces in antiphonal style
(Antiphonal - Questions and Answers, Stereo Effect).
 Secular music (none-religious music. Sacred music is to do with the church)
There was lots of vocal pieces and dances, and lots of instrumental pieces
(However a lot of the instrumentals were in a vocal style, but sonic were
suited to instruments. Vocal music was by far the more important.)
 The characteristic timbres of Renaissance musical instruments - many
forming families.
 Polyphony:
 Renaissance music is characterized by what is called "equal-voice
polyphony," in which a complex texture of different voices creates a more or
less continuous, harmonious work.
 "Voices" do not mean individual singers but refer to different musical lines
(soprano, alto, tenor and bass, for instance). Renaissance composers also
based their compositions on the eight church modes, which are essentially
scales with patterns of whole and half steps that are not the same as the two
modes we use today, major and minor.







Mixolydian: (b–b′)
Lydian: (c′–c″)
Phrygian: (d′–d″)
Dorian: (e′–e″)
Hypolydian: (f′–f″)
Hypophrygian: (g′–g″)
Locrian, or Hypodorian: (a′–a″ or a–a′)
 Mass
 This was the largest and most important service of the Christian Liturgy
 The mass contains numerous items that were sung in plainchant.
 The Mass was broken into five items
 Kyrie-A simple Prayer
 Gloria-A long hymn,
 Credo-A recital of the Christian’s list of beliefs
 Sanctus-Another shorter hymn
 Agnus Dei-simple prayer
 Madrigals
 Italian:
 A short musical composition set to a single stanza poem. Typically a
love poem with a rapid turnover of ideas.
 English:
 A short musical composition set to a single stanza poem. Typically a love poem
with a rapid turnover of ideas. Only done in English.
 Instrumental Music and Dances
 Although most of the music was vocal, during this time the development and invention were
created. Such as the viols and harpsichord.
 During this period we were beginning to see more instrumental accompaniment with the
voice.
 Pavan:
 A solemn dance in duple meter, with participants stepping and stopping
formally.
 Galliard
 A formal dance in a fast triple meter.
 Other less formal dances of the Renaissance:
 Irish jig, Italian saltarello, and the French bransle or brawl.
 Choreographed ballets, court dances, were upper-class participated.
Questions &
Discussion
1-Music still based on modes, but gradually more accidentals creep in.
True
2-The Mass was broken into five sections what are those sections?
Kyrie-A simple Prayer, Gloria-A long hymn, Credo-A recital of the Christian’s list of
beliefs, Sanctus-Another shorter hymn, Agnus Dei-simple prayer
 3-A solemn dance in duple meter, with participants stepping and stopping formally.
Pavan
4-Renaissance music is characterized by what is called ”unequal-voice polyphony," in
which a simple texture of different voices creates a more or less continuous, harmonious
work.
false
5-Define a cappella:
Sung without instrumental accompaniment