Transcript El Grillo by Josquin des Prez (1450-1521)

El Grillo
by Josquin des Prez (1450-1521)
About the Composer
Josquin des Prez was born around 1450 in what
is now Belgium or across the border in modernday France. He died in Conde, France in 1521.
Josquin des Prez was a composer of the
Renaissance period.
He worked as musician/composer for the
pope and royalty, including King Louis XII of
France.
Des Prez was famous during his lifetime, and
the newly invented printing press made the
spread of his music possible.
He was considered the composer of the
“perfect art” because of the close
connection his words had to the music.
He used word painting, a technique of
writing music that reflects the meaning of a
song. Example: “Hold a long note”
About the Music
El Grillo is a madrigal.
Madrigals are songs in four to six parts which
were sung for entertainment, not for
religious purposes.
Madrigals were always sung acapella
(without accompaniment).
VOCABULARY
ABA Form: A 3-part musical form in which
the main theme returns after a contrasting
section
A Capella: Singing without accompaniment
Madrigal: A secular song of the
Renaissance and early Baroque periods,
usually sung in parts and a capella
Let’s see what you remember!
El Grillo is a:
1.Madrigal
2.Orchestral suite
3.Church hymn
4.Opera
True or False:
The composer, Josquin des
Prez was famous during his
lifetime.
TRUE!
The madrigal El Grillo was
composed in which musical
period?
1.Contemporary
2.Romantic
3.Classical
4.Renaissance
True or False:
A piece of music is in ABA form if
all three sections are very
different from one another.
FALSE