Renaissance1400-1600

The characteristics normally associated with the Renaissance are most aptly applied to the music written between 1400 and 1600, and particularly to that written between 1450 and 1550. Some of the qualities of Baroque music are found before 1600, and characteristics of the Renaissance are found much later than 1600. The dates of this period, as with all periods, must be taken as only guidelines since stylistic changes represent an evolvement, not abrupt changes.

The Renaissance composers were part of an intellectual community that began to be as concerned with their life on earth as well as

their life after death.

• It is a shift from liturgical music to something more secular and for entertainment purposes instead of worship.

The composers, reflecting the attitudes of the day, began to consider themselves as artists, and viewed their music as something more than serving a utilitarian function for the church.

Characteristics 1. Polyphonic texture, equal voice lines2. Use of fewer modes, and a move toward

major and minor tonalitya) Mode: the rhythmic relationship between long and short

values in the late medieval period

3. Melody influenced by plainsonga) Any monophonic medieval liturgical music

without strict meter and traditionally sung without accompaniment.

4. Conjunct melodic movementa) Successive tones of the scale

Characteristics

1.Controlled dissonance2.Text important to formal

considerations3.Non-metered rhythms4.Overlapping points of imitation

•Stressing of notes is determined by the text•Rhythmic flow is tied to text flow

• Performance is dependent upon the understanding of the polyphonic nature of Renaissance music and understanding that there is the strong emphasis on counterpoint.

Dynamics

• Dynamics are up for interpretation by the conductor• And are strongly influenced by the

text and “feel” of the music• Think about reading poetry

Texture

• Lighter voices (think younger)• Light (if any) vibrato• A “live” hall is preferred• Subtle emphasis on dynamics and

suspended chords

Renaissance composers1. John Dunstable (c. 1385-1453)2. Gilles Binchois (c. 1400-1460)3. Guillaume Dufay (c. 1400-1474)4. Johannes Okeghem (c. 1420-1495)5. Jacob Obrecht (c. 1453-1505)6. Heinrich Isaac (c. 1450-1517)7. Josquin Des Prez (c. 1450-1521)8. Jean Mouton (c. 1470-1522)9. Thomas Tallis (c. 1505-1585)10. Jacob Arcadelt (c. 1510-1567)11. Andrea Gabrieli (c. 1510-1586)12. G. P. Palestrina (c. 1525-1594)13. Richard Farrant (c. 1530-1580)14. Orlando di Lasso (Roland de Lassus)

(c. 1532-1594)

15. William Byrd (c. 1543-1623)16. Tomas Luis de Victoria (c. 1549-

1611)17. Jacobus Gallus (Jacob Handl) (c.

1550-1611)18. Orazio Vecchi (c. 1550-1605)19. Luca Merenzio (c. 1553-1599)20. Thomas Morley (c. 1557-1603)21. Carlo Gesualdo (c. 1560-1613)22. John Dowland (c. 1562-1626)23. Hans Leo Hassler (c. 1564-1612)24. John Wilbye (c. 1574-1638)25. Thomas Weelkes (c. 1575-1638)26. Orlando Gibbons (c. 1583-1625)

Presentation ASSN

• Who are they?• Where were they from?• Important works?• What type of music did they

compose?• Influences?• Web source other than Wikipedia?

ASSN: Create a PowerPoint of your chosen composer.PowerPoint should include:• 1 biographical slide (LISTED not in paragraph form)• 1 – 2 slides containing important works and

information about the music composed• 1 slide about influences of this individual• 1 slide containing an image of the individual (if

available)• 1 resource slide– Document all websites/resources used, including where

you obtained the image• +5 if you include a soundfile