INTRODUCTION

Renaissance means rebirth, a time of

discovery and reawakening of interest in all

arts.
The Renaissance in music, as in the past,
which occurred between 1450- 1600 had
musicians working in churches, courts and
towns.
The Papal choir increased from ten singers
to twenty- four in 1483. It was during the
Renaissance period that the choir was
performed by an entirely male choir.

RENAISSANCE PERIOD
Renaissance Music refers to the style of

music that predominated from 1450- 1600.

A beautiful painting or piece of music
began to have value for its own sake; it
was no longer regarded only as a means of
religious devotion.
The musical Renaissance started in
Netherlands. The style and technique of
the Netherlands became internationally
known and imitated.

RENAISSANCE PERIOD
Renaissance Music is usually

expressed in a moderate balanced

way and there are no extreme
contrast in dynamics, tone color, and
rhythm.
In Renaissance Music, rhythm is a
more of a gentle flow than a more
defined beat, because each melodic
line has great rhythmic
independence.

RENAISSANCE PERIOD
The great names during Renaissance

period are Leonardo da Vinci,

Michelangelo, Deefay, Joaquin de
Prez, Palestrina, Victoria, William Byrd
and Monteverdi.

MORE ABOUT RENAISSANCE MUSIC

Renaissance musicis music written in

Europe during theRenaissance. Consensus

among music historians with notable
dissent has been to start the era around
1400, with the end of themedievalera, and
to close it around 1600, with the beginning of
theBaroqueperiod, therefore commencing
the musical Renaissance about a hundred
years after the beginning of the Renaissance
as understood in other disciplines.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

OF RENAISSANCE MUSIC

General Characteristics of
Renaissance Music
1. There is clarity and balance.
2. Vocal polyphony reaches a high
degree of perfection.
3. The ideal medium is acapella singing
singing without accompaniment.
4. Modality still prevails in both secular
and sacred music.

General Characteristics of
Renaissance Music
5. Secular music greatly increases
in importance.
6. An independent instrumental
style emerges.
7. Music printing (1501) contributes
greatly to the dissemination of
music literature.

Representative Forms

Representative Forms
1.Vocal Form
a.Religious
Ex. Mass
Motet a unified piece with all voices
singing the same text.
1. Gothic motet nearly always based on
Gregorian chant. It contains secular words.
2. Renaissance motet sometimes borrows
from chant but it conveys a spirit of
reverence. It is serious, restrained and
designed for the worship service.

Representative Forms
b. Secular- Frech Chanson it is a

rhythmic simple four-part song.

2. Instrumental Form
a. Dance often in pairs, the first in slow
tempo and the second, fast.
1. Pavane Spanish, slow 4/4
Galliard French, fast
2. Basse Dance French, slow
Tourdion French, fast 4/4

Representative Forms
3. Fantasia passacaglia, canzona, prelude
4. Popular Instrument flute, organ,

hapsichord, and clear chord.

5.German Composer
Claudio Monteverdi - wrote materials.

Outstanding Composers During Renaissance

Period

Outstanding Composers During

Renaissance Period
1. English Composers
William Byrd probably best English
composer of the Renaissance. He
composed madrigals, church music and
keyboard music.
2. Netherlands Composers
Jacob Arcadelt - composed chansons,
madrigals; an influential teacher in
Rome.

Outstanding Composers During

Renaissance Period
Orlando di Lasso composed

leader; also wrote in French and

Italian style.
Johannes Ockeghem composed
church music, used many devices
of composition.

THE END