The Renaissance

1. The Renaissance Musical life

2. In keeping with the ideal of the “universal man,” every educated person was expected to be trained in music • Shakespeare’s stage directions call for music more than 300 times, and his plays are full of beautiful tributes to music “The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not mov’d with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.” (The Merchant of Venice)

3. As in the past, musicians continued to work in churches, courts, and towns. Church choirs grew in size (The papal choir went from 10 singers in 1442 to 24 singers in 1483) Though the church remained a prominent patron of the musical art, musical activity eventually shifted to the courts

4. Kings, princes, and dukes all competed to have the greatest composers and musicians working in their court A single court might have 10-60 musicians, including; composers, singers, and musicians The nobility often brought their musicians with them while traveling (this led to a spreading of musical ideas around Europe)

5. In general, musician enjoyed higher status and pay than ever before Composers were no longer content to remain unknown; like other artists, they sought credit for their work (The printing press aided this)

6. Most of the leading composers of the musical Renaissance come from the “low countries” • The low countries were commonly referred to as “Flanders” • This now comprises parts of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Northern France • People from Flanders were called “Flemish” Other countries with a vibrant musical life were Germany, England, and Spain

7. Characteristics Of Renaissance Music

8. Words and Music • Vocal music has a higher degree of importance than instrumental music • The humanistic interest in language greatly influenced the music, creating a close relation between text and music • Renaissance composers used Text Painting • Musical representations of poetic images • For instance, the words descending from heaven might be set to a descending melodic line and the word Runningmight be heard with a series of rapid notes • While there is a wide range of emotion in Renaissance music, it is usually expressed in a moderate and balanced way, with no extreme contrasts of dynamics, tone color, or rhythm

9. Text Painting Weep oh mine eyes La Guerre http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM-tqZvYGE0 Musical sounds imitate the sounds of a battle between the French and Swiss. Onomatopoeia Bugle calls, canons, arrows, etc. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5qTpAG1Efo • Lamenting text = Minor mode • “Weep oh mine eyes” • Weeping, descending lines • “To swell so high” • Vocal lines rise to an apex then fall away

10. Texture • The texture of Renaissance music is primarily Polyphonic • A typical choral piece generally has 4-6 independent vocal lines • Melodic imitation is very common • Like a canon or round • A homophonic texture is used in lighter dance music or to bring out certain aspects of texts • Homophonic = When all voice parts move together at a similar rhythmic pace

11. Homophonic

12. Texture • Renaissance music sounds fuller than Medieval for two main reasons • The true bass register was used for the 1st time, this expanded the range of the overall work • Composers rely heavily on triads or stacked thirds • Renaissance choral music did not need accompaniment, because of this, the period is sometimes referred to as the “Golden age of a cappella music” • Even so, instruments would often duplicate the vocal lines to reinforce sound or replace a missing singer • Parts written exclusively for instruments are rare in Renaissance choral music

13. Texture If ye love me SicutCervus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yd5EE0hAB8 A Motet = sacred work in Latin but not from the mass ordinary Entirely polyphonic with a lot of imitation Balanced lines with many arched phrases • English anthem • Alternates between polyphony and homophony • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qx41wFiRWU

14. Texture O vosOmnes • Latin motet • Lamenting text is portrayed in the sounds of the music • A blend of homophony and polyphony • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m11B9GuDUmM

15. Rhythm & Melody • Rhythm is more often a gently flow rather than a sharp beat • When one singer is beginning his phrase another may be in the middle of theirs (Overlapping Phrases) • Melodies usually move along a scale and avoid large leaps • When leaps do occur they are usually followed by a step in the opposite direction

16. Sacred music In The Renaissance

17. Two main genres Motet Mass Polyphonic choral work Latin Consisting of 5 parts Kyrie Gloria Credo Sanctus Agnus Dei • Shorter than the mass • Sacred Latin text • Not from the Mass Ordinary • After the protestant reformation, some churches would write motets in the vernacular language Mass Ordinary

18. JosquinDesprezAnd the Renaissance Motet • Josquin (1440-1521) was a contemporary of Leonardo da Vinci and Columbus. • He was born in Flanders (near modern Belgium) but he had a truly international career • He spent many years in Italy working in the private chapels of several Dukes. He also served in the Papal Choir at the Vatican in Rome • In his later years he served King Louis XII in France • He wrote in every genre of the period (motets, masses, and secular music)

19. Martin Luther, The man responsible for sparking the Protestant Reformation adored Josquin’s music! “God has His Gospel preached also through the medium of music; this may be seen from the compositions of Josquin, all of whose works are cheerful, gentle, mild, and lovely; they flow and move along and are neither forced nor coerced and bound by rigid and stringent rules, but, on the contrary, are like the song of the finch”

20. “Ave Maria…Virgo Serena”Hail, Mary… Serene Virgin (1502) • A 4-voiced motet • A Latin prayer to the virgin Mary • Set to beautifully serene and delicate music • The use of imitation is clear from the beginning • As well a overlapping phrases • Josquin varies the texture by contrasting groups of voices • Duets, trios, full group • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwCtYOb2OA4

21. The protestant Reformation

22. What was it? • The Reformation was a split that occurred within the Roman Catholic Church • As a result of this split, a new type of Christianity was born • Protestantism • From the original split, we get many groups that fall under the umbrella of Protestantism • (Lutheran, Anabaptist, Calvinist, etc.)

23. Martin luther • Was a Catholic monk who began to question many practices of the Roman Catholic Church (of which he was a part) • As he studied the bible, he found that what he read and what the church taught were at odds

24. On October 31, 1517 Luther took a list of 95 points where he thought the Church had gone wrong and nailed it to the door of a Catholic Church.  • These were known as • “The 95 Thesis” • Though the Catholic Church would eventually persecute Luther and even threaten his life, it is important to know that he never wanted to break from the church and start his own new religion • He merely wanted to make the church he loved better by reforming corruption

25. Less money for the church The Pope, at the time, was vigorously trying to raise money to complete the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica • One of the practices that Luther disagreed with was the paying of indulgences. • This practice allowed people to be forgiven of their sins when they paid the church money. • After Luther nailed his list to the Church, the Catholics began to make less money. This made them mad. They kicked him out of the church and called him a heretic. • This may not sound bad today, but in those times heretics were often put to death. 

26. Reform spreads across Northern Europe • Many people agreed with Martin Luther that the Catholic Church had become corrupt. • Much of northern Europe began to separate from the Catholic Church. • Several new churches were formed such as the Lutheran Church and the Reformed Church. • Also new reform leaders such as John Calvin in Switzerland spoke out against the Catholic Church.

27. The church of england • In a separate split from the Catholic Church, the Church of England split from the Roman Catholic Church. • King Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife because she did not produce a male heir for him, but the Catholic Church would not let him. • He decided to split from the Roman Catholics and create his own church called the Church of England which would allow him to get a divorce.  • History often presents this simple explanation, however, the full story is much more complex and involves many abuses by the Catholic Church

28. The church of england • The Church of England is commonly referred to as the Anglican Church • When Henry separated England from the Catholic faith there was great divisions amongst the people along religious lines • Hostility between Catholics and Anglicans was high and Queen Elizabeth (Henry VIII’s daughter) sought to unite her kingdom during her reign • The Anglican church will house some of the greatest choral composers of all time

29. Palestrina and The Renaissance Mass During the 16th cent., Italian composers began to attain the excellence of the previous Flemish composers like Josquin One of the most important Italian Renaissance composers was Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594) He devoted his life to the church and thus his career centered around Rome His entire output of music in sacred in nature

30. The counter-reformation To better understand the music of Palestrina, one must look at it through the eyes of the Counter-reformation The counter-reformation was the Catholic church’s response to the Protestant Reformation

31. Counter-reformation • We know that the Protestant Reformation in the early 1500’s brought to light the various malpractices and abuses of the Catholic Church • The church recognized some of these issues and sought to fix many of them as well as to counter the huge push toward Protestantism • This push to strengthen the church led to the formation of the Jesuit order and the Council of Trent (1545-1563)

32. The Jesuit Order • The Jesuit order of Catholic clergy who dedicate their lives to the spreading of the Catholic faith • Jesuits do a lot of work in education (founding schools, colleges, universities and seminaries) • The main focus of their order is an intense devotion to Evangelism (spreading the faith) • They are often called the “Soldiers of the Church”

33. Jesuits Saint Ignatius Loyola (The Founder of the Order) Pope Francis I (1st Jesuit Pope)

34. The council of Trent • The Council of Trent was a series of meetings and discussions from 1545-1563, which considered questions of dogma and organization in the church • Obviously there was a lot to discuss… it took 18 years! • Remember, the church is conservative and always takes longer to change • The state of music in the church was a topic of heated debate during the Council of Trent

35. A couple decades before the Council of Trent, the philosopher Erasmus was quoted, saying “We have introduced an artificial and theatrical music into the church, a bawling and agitation of various voices, such as I believe had never been heard in the theaters of the Greeks and Romans… Amorous and lascivious melodies are heard such as elsewhere accompany only the dances of courtesans and clowns!”

36. The council of trent • At the council, church music was attacked because it used secular tunes, noisy instruments, and theatrical singing. • Some complained that the complex polyphony made it impossible to understand the words • Many of these people wanted to go back to only using Gregorian Chant in church services • Eventually the council declared that • “music should not be composed to give empty pleasure to the ear, but to inspire religious contemplation

37. Palestrina • The restraint and serenity of Palestrina’s works reflect this emphasis on a more spiritual music • Church authorities have regarded his masses as models of church music because of their calmness and “other worldly” qualities. • Even today, many scholars look to his style and technique as a model for their work.

38. Pope marcellusmass • Palestrina’s most famous setting of the mass ordinary • It was long thought to have convinced the Council of Trent that polyphonic masses should be kept in the Catholic worship • We now know that it did not play that role • However, it does reflect the nature of the council’s views that a clear projection of the text was key • The Marcellus mass is scored for 6 voices (soprano, alto, 2 tenors, and 2 basses)

39. Comparison Kyrie Gloria Mostly Homophonic Very syllabic (one word per note of music) Quicker tempo • Mostly polyphonic • Sound is fuller than Josquin’s “Ave Verum” • Because of the 6 voices instead of 4 • The gently curved phrases reflect Gregorian sounds • Large leaps are always balanced by a step in the opposite direction

40. comparison Kyrie Gloria Text: (Gloria in excelsisDeo) Sung by a cantor et in terra paxhominibusbonaevoluntatis. Laudamuste, benedicimuste, adoramuste, glorificamuste, gratiasagimustibi propter magnam gloriam tuam, Domine Deus, Rex caelestis,Deus Pater omnipotens. DomineFiliunigenite, JesuChriste, Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, FiliusPatris, qui tollispeccatamundi miserere nobis; qui tollispeccata mundi, suscipedeprecationemnostram. Qui sedes ad dexteramPatris, miserere nobis Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solusDominus, tu solusAltissimus, JesuChriste, cum SanctoSpiritu in gloria Dei Patris. Amen • Text: • Kyrie Eleison • ChristeEleison • Kyrie Eleison • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n8XdKkrqgo • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k3bfqQ1SpU

41. Secular music In the Renaissance

42. Vocal music • During the Renaissance, secular vocal music became increasingly popular. • Music was constantly being set to poetry in many different languages, including Italian, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, and English. • Music printing helped spread secular music, and 1000’s of song collections became available to the public

43. Vocal music • Music making was an important leisure activity, and every educated person was expected to play and instrument and read notation • Secular music was written for groups of solo voices and for solo with instrumental accompaniment • Text painting is more prevalent in secular vocal music than in sacred • Secular music will contain more rapid shifts in mood that sacred, and will often be more overtly expressive.

44. The Renaissance Madrigal • The Madrigal is a work for several solo voices set to a short poem, usually about love • The madrigal originated in Italy around 1520 • Due, in part, to an explosion in Italian poetry • Madrigals were published by the thousands in 16th century Italy • Their popularity can be equivocated to the popularity of modern pop music

45. Italian Madrigals • Il Bianco e Dolce Cigno • 1 of the early Italian Madrigals • By the Flemish composer Arcadelt • Early Flemish composers in Italy were called “oltremontani” (from over the mountains) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XITlmDJ9-Hk • O OcchiManza Mia • Another Flemish composer (Orlando di Lasso) • More Light-hearted than the Archadelt • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH5O_RVv09o • GiàPiansiNelDolore • By the Italian Noble Carlo Gesualdo • He was considered “mad” by many of his contemporaries • He had his wife and her lover murdered • His works are light-years ahead of their time and reflect the complexity of his personality and mind • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HMyBL0QWnE&list=PL0DAA7D48AE961C6A

46. From Italy to England • In 1588 (the year of the defeat of the Spanish Armada) a volume of translated Italian madrigals was published in London • The triggered a spurt of madrigal writing by English composers for about 30 years • This was a golden age in English art and society • Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) • William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

47. English madrigals • As Vesta Was Descending • Written by one of the finest English Madrigalists, Thomas Weelkes • Part of a collection called “The Triumphs of Oriana” • A group of madrigals written in honor of Queen Elizabeth I, sometimes referred to as “Oriana” • This madrigal has some of the most extensive text painting of any madrigal ever written • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95DJ7oqTWK8 • Listening Activity!! • Now is the Month of Maying • Technically not a madrigal but a Ballett (fa-la) • A dance like song in which a refrain, using the syllables “fa-la”, is repeated after every stanza • Like the madrigal this form originated in Italy and was later cultivated in England • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ7VirCScp0

48. Parisian Chanson • From about 1520-1550 leading French composers such as Sermisy and Jannequin began to write a style of secular song that was greatly influenced by the Italian madrigal • The French printer Pierre Attaingnant published a great deal of these chanson at his printing shop in Paris, thus sparking the spread of the genre • Many use onomatopoeia to represent various scenes or characters

49. Parisian Chanson • TantqueVivray • Written by Sermisy • Very balanced and primarily homophonic • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW31yXZIrbM • Il estbel e bon • Written by Passerau • About a group of gossiping women • Uses onomatopoeia to represent chickens clucking • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7W0G1c8fJ0