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Evolution of Renaissance Music: Josquin Desprez and Imitative Counterpoint

Explore the revolutionary compositional techniques introduced by Josquin Desprez in the Renaissance era, emphasizing imitative counterpoint and its impact on music history. Discover the shift from the traditional approach to a more innovative and organized style, favoring triads and sweeter harmonies. Delve into the intricacies of motet compositions like "Ave Maria... Virgo Serena" and the significance of Josquin's contributions to international music culture. Uncover the influence of Italian Renaissance politics, art, and humanism on the music scene during this transformative period.

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Evolution of Renaissance Music: Josquin Desprez and Imitative Counterpoint

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  1. Renaissance Music in the

  2. According to a theorist writing in 1475, no music worth hearing had been written before 1440 . . .

  3. a piece by Josquin

  4. Josquin Desprez (des Prez) • 1st “Great Composer” glorified by contemporary and following generations • new approach to composition? Jos Canh duh Pray

  5. Add a third active line that goes well with the cantus firmus and the other line Add a nice active line that goes well with the cantus firmus The Old Way Start with a bit of chant – a cantus firmus

  6. The Emerging Way? Still very “linear” in conception, especially in its emphasis on IMITATIVE COUNTERPOINT, but more “vertical” in organization? (Careful control of dissonance; favoring triads.)

  7. Compared to Ars Nova . . . • more careful handling of dissonance • more respect for the mode (less chromatic) • “sweeter” sound world favors the warm or sweet sound of 3rds & 6ths (intervals) instead of the stark, empty sounds of perfect 4ths & 5ths

  8. Josquin listening example • KEY INFO: • motet -- Ave Maria. . . Virgo Serena, 1502, • Josquin (c. 1440-1521) • Imitative counterpoint – • canon – the same melody appears in different voices, overlapping due to staggered starting times 1480 Extra info: listen for LINE and the careful handling of dissonance. The shift to triple time and then back to duple near the end of a work is characteristic of many Renaissance works. The opening melody is based on a chant fragment, but most of the work is freely invented anew.

  9. Overlapping entry Overlapping entry Entry order: 1 2 3 4 time interval = 4 beats Entry order: 1 2 3 4 time interval = 5 beats Ave Maria. . . Virgo Serena Each phrase imitated by following voices Entry order: 1 2 3 4 time interval = 4 beats

  10. slightly overlapping entry High duet (1 & 2) answered by low duet (3 4) + 3rd voice (2) brief break All 4 voices start rhythmically together but gradually create complex interlocking texture Ave Maria. . . Virgo Serena Entry order: 2 1 3 4 time interval = 4 beats

  11. slightly overlapping entry 4 lines in imitation enter 1 2 3 4 at time intervals of 4, 2 & 4 beats Ave Maria. . . Virgo Serena Canonic duet (1 2) at a time interval of 1 beat answered by canonic duet in 3 & 4 Duet in 1 & 2 answered by duet in 3 & 4 Again, duet in 1 & 2 answered by duet in 3 & 4

  12. Ave Maria. . . Virgo Serena TRIPLE METER lines generally together (a chordal, homorhythmic texture) but still independent – there is a hidden canon Text at this point?

  13. Ave Maria. . . Virgo Serena back to duple Duet in 1 & 2 answered by duet in 3 & 4 That section is repeated note-for-note but with a different text Free imitation (lines 1 & 3 exact) Free imitation (lines 1 & 3 exact) Homorhythmic to the final “Amen”

  14. Quite a career • Served in cathedrals and chapels of a wealthy family, the pope, and French royalty • Milan, Rome, Ferrara, Belgium & France • SIGNIFICANCE – this approach to music an international culture

  15. for comparison • Memor esto, Josquin • Ave Maria, Ockeghem

  16. Summary – Italian Renaissance • POLITICS – Italian city-states; power from € (money) • EARLY RENAISSANCE – Florence • HIGH RENAISSANCE – Rome • ART – Classical ideals revived; BIG 3 • IDEAS – Humanism returns • MUSIC – Josquin & imitative counterpoint

  17. DATEBOOK 1432 – c.1500 – Donatello’s nude David Michelangelo’s David & Josquin’s Ave Maria . . . Virgo Serena(approximate date)

  18. Josquin (to the tune of the Beatles’ “Michelle”) Josquin, the Man, Wrote smooth counterpoint as few persons can, That guy Josquin

  19. Raphael Madonna dell Granduca, c.1505

  20. Ock, Chigi Codex

  21. Brumel

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