RENAISSANCE

1430-1600
 THE INFLUENCES FROM OTHER
CULTURES

Greek and Roman culture that influences in

the rebirth of art at that period:
There were corruption in the Catholic Church. (Reform
and Counter-reform)
The Greek and Roman provided answers to the people
that the church couldnt.
Rise of the middle-class people had a different way of
thinking.
According to Burckhardt (1860):
Italy was a source of vast cultural transformation that began in
the 14th century, it gradually spread new forms of thought to
northern Europe after 1500 and marked the emergence of a
period of civilization that extended in some spheres until the late
17th century.
(The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy.1860)
Two divergent approaches to Renaissance:
It was primarily a movement which aimed to restore the philosophical
and artistic values of classical antiquity.
It can effectively denote an era of frech beliefs and attitudes in
individuals and ultimately in society, an age of discovery and accelerated
change, in which innovations were justified by an appeal to their affinity
to a golden age of the past.

(Grove Music)
JULES MICHELET ( 1798-1874)

The first historian to use

and define the
word Renaissance.
The Humanism Concept
The strongest intellectual
movement of the
Renaissance. They studied
humanities that is things
pertaining (Affecting) human
knowledge.
The Naturalism concept
Naturalism attempts to
reproduce nature realistically,
to represent subject matter
truthfully, without artificially.
It is also in tune with
humanists endeavor to see
and understand the world as it
really is.
 CONDITIONS AND TRENDS OF THE TIME
Printing

New Bourgeoisie

Sacred Music

Music as a science of relationships

New function of music in social life

PATRONS ROLE IN MUSIC

Patronage can be described as the support (sponsorphip) given

by a patron. Many rulers of the time supported music and there
was a competition among them from the best composer or
performer. Excellent music was both enjoyable in itself and
valuable as a way to display wealth and power to audiences at
home and abroad.

Court of the Gonzaga family 1465-1475

DEVELOPMENT IN THE
RENAISSANCE PERIOD
1. The International Style:
The core of the international style was counterpoint.

2. Just Intonation
This form was used for many years and implied that the intervals of 3rd and 6th
were perfectly tuned.

3. Equal Temperament
This new tuning system reflects the musicians trust in what pleased the ear
rather than received theory.
GREEK THEORIES AND
RENAISSANCE
Music should be part of the citizens education.

Men and ladies should have access to music( Read- sing-

perform instrument for entertainment).

Power of the modes- that music affects Ethos through

Harmonia
 CURRENT VIEWS OF THE RENAISSANCE AS
A PERIOD
The views of Edward Lowinsky (Music of the Renaissance as viewed by the musicians- the renaissance
image of man and the world. Columbus 1966).
In the 15th century there was a steady growth and reorganization of musical institutions related
to the migration of northern composers to Italy and the interaction of northern and Southern
traditions.
Music was characterized by a broad emancipation from medieval constraints, including modes,
Pythagorean tuning etc.
Criticism of medieval aesthetics
Emancipation from older modal system and the development of harmony and the introduction
of chromaticism and modulation.
Transition from a Successive to a simultaneous conception of part-time music.
Enlargement of tonal space
Rise of expressivity and a new relationship between words and music
Development of vocal and instrumental virtuosity.
Increasing autonomy on instrumental music.
Repudiation of authority on the part of musicians.
 RENAISSANCE COMPOSERS
GUILLAUME DU FAY (1397- 1474)
Most famous composer of his time.

His many travels exposed him to a variety of music and styles. One
particularity of Dufay was his many stylistic traits which we can
notice in his music. His music is a perfect example of the
international style of the Renaissance period.

Resvellies Vous composed in 1423.

 RESVELLIES VOUS (1423)
Resvellis vous et faites chiere lye
Tous amoureux qui gentillesse ams;
Es bats vous, fuys merancolye,
De bien servir point ne soys hods.
Car au jour d'ui sera li espouss,
Par grant honneur et noble seignourie;
Se vous convient ung chascum faire feste,
Pur bien grignier la belle compagnye Charle
gentil, c'on dit de Malateste.
II.
Il a dame belle et bonne choysie,
Dont il sera grandement honnours;
Car elle vient de tres noble lignie
Et de barons qui sont mult renomms.
Son propre nom est Victore clams;
De la colomne vient sa progenie.
C'est bien rayson qu'a vascule requeste
De ceste dame mainne bonne vie
Charle gentil [c'on dit de Maleteste.
SE LA FACE AY PALE (1430)
International Style Influences:
1. The piece shows a strong influence of English music (Tenor and cantus are in tune).

2. Contratenor fills the harmony, sometimes above and below. (Typical of French songs)
3. Graceful melodies, primarily syllabic with some Melismas (Typical of Italian and
English).
4. Rhthmic energy of the Ars Nova is heard in syncopation with constantly varying
rhythms.
5. Music is freely composed in (aabC)

JOSQUIN DES PREZ (1440-1521)

the first printer of polyphonic music, published
three books of Josquin masses and reprinted each
to meet the demand

(palisca.2010)

Compositions:
19 Masses, Pange Lingua, De beata
Virgine

Listening: Missa Pangue Lingua (Gloria)

 TRAITS OF 15TH CENTURY MUSIC

Clarity in phrasing- Fluid and tuneful melodies

Form- Tranparent textures

Tonal organization- imitation and homophony.

LISTENING: Ave Maria Virgo Serena

GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA
PALESTRINA (1525-1594)
Compositions: 104 Masses

51- Immitation of mases based on polyphony

34- Paraphrase masses
8- old fashion Cantus Firmus Method

Listening: Agnus Dei- Pope Marcellu Mass (1567)

 ACTIVITY:

Compare and contrast two composers of your choice from the Renaissance
period.