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The Renaissance Mass: Josquin and Palestrina. The musical setting of the Roman Catholic Mass was the most important compositional genre of the Renaissance The Mass is the principal daily service of the Catholic Church. The Mass has two main divisions.
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The Renaissance Mass: Josquin and Palestrina The musical setting of the Roman Catholic Mass was the most important compositional genre of the Renaissance The Mass is the principal daily service of the Catholic Church. The Mass has two main divisions. 1. The Ordinary consists of those portions of the Mass said every day. 2. The Proper consists of those portions of the Mass particular to specific days/celebrations in the liturgical calendar.
The Renaissance Mass: Josquin and Palestrina The High Mass is divided into two broad parts, the first consisting of the Introductory and Liturgy of the Word, and the second consisting of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. • Initially, all six parts of the Ordinary of the High Mass-the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and Ite Missa Est--were set to music. The Ite Missa Est was subsequently removed from this list. • A single melody, usually a plainchant, will typically underlie all five parts of a Renaissance Mass.
The Renaissance Mass: Josquin and Palestrina • In a Cantus Firmus Mass, the underlying plainchant is heard in its original, medieval form and usually in the tenor voice. This is the original and most archaic form of Renaissance Mass. • In a Paraphrase Mass, the underlying plainchant melody has been modernized according to the melodic tastes of the Renaissance. Josquin was the greatest composer of these Masses.
The Renaissance Mass:Josquin and Palestrina In an Imitation Mass, a melody other than a plainchant is used to underlie the Mass. • These Masses became common during the early sixteenth century. • Due to its accessibility and recognizability, this compositional form was potentially subversive of Church authority.
The Renaissance Mass:Josquin and Palestrina The Protestant Reformation had a profound influence on the social, political, and artistic history of Europe. • In 1517 the Catholic priest Martin Luther launched a protest against aspects of the Catholic Church. The protest rapidly became a full-blown anti-Roman revolution. • The Catholic hierarchy responded with the Counter-Reformation, the key event of which was the Council of Trent (1545-63).
The Renaissance Mass:Josquin and Palestrina 1. The Council ostensibly purged the Catholic Church of "laxities, secularisation, and abuses.“ 2. The Council objected strongly to certain aspects of Renaissance church music.
The Renaissance Mass:Josquin and Palestrina Giovanni de Palestrina (c. 1525-94) was the "saviour" of Roman Catholic church music. • According to legend, Palestrina composed his six-part Pope Marcellus Mass to demonstrate that polyphony could be made compatible with the musical doctrines of the Counter-Reformation. • He found artistic/creative ground between compositional integrity and interest and the dictates of the Council of Trent.
The Renaissance Mass:Josquin and Palestrina Palestrina, Pope Marcellus Mass, Agnus Dei I (1555) 1. Vocal lines are compact and almost entirely conjunct. 2.Gentle diatonic lines and discreet chromaticism give the music serenity and transparency. 3. Gentle regularity of rhythm helps to drive careful polyphony.
