Renaissance Era (1400-1600)
'Renaissance' means 'rebirth'.
The renaissance was a time when people were influenced by ancient
interest in the arts. New techniques and approaches were invented.
The average life expectancy was 30-35 years old.
Music Before the Ranaissance
1. Music was exclusively paid for (commissioned) by the Catholic Church.
Therefore most art music was religious.
2. Music was only seen as a scientific subject.
3. Music had to be handwritten on vellum (calfskin paper). This was expensive, and took a lot of time, so not many copies of scores were made.
4. People did not travel outside of their country much.
5. People thought the voice was the most important part of the music.
Therefore most art music was religious.
2. Music was only seen as a scientific subject.
3. Music had to be handwritten on vellum (calfskin paper). This was expensive, and took a lot of time, so not many copies of scores were made.
4. People did not travel outside of their country much.
5. People thought the voice was the most important part of the music.
Music in the Renaissance
1. Wealthy people (kings, nobility, governments) began to employ musicians to
compose music for them.
Therefor there were two types of music:
Church music/ sacred music - composers put parts of the mass to music.
Secular (non-religious)/ court music - composers began to write songs about
love and romance, for solo and groups of voices.
2. Music began to be seen as a form of expression, like art.
3. The printing press was invented during the renaissance, so it was much cheaper
and quicker to make many copies of a score. Therefor, more people could play
music.
4. People began to travel more, and brought back new influences from music they
heard.
5. Composers began to write pieces of music for instruments in their own.
Instrumental dance music became popular.
compose music for them.
Therefor there were two types of music:
Church music/ sacred music - composers put parts of the mass to music.
Secular (non-religious)/ court music - composers began to write songs about
love and romance, for solo and groups of voices.
2. Music began to be seen as a form of expression, like art.
3. The printing press was invented during the renaissance, so it was much cheaper
and quicker to make many copies of a score. Therefor, more people could play
music.
4. People began to travel more, and brought back new influences from music they
heard.
5. Composers began to write pieces of music for instruments in their own.
Instrumental dance music became popular.
Features of Renaissance Music:
- Smooth melodies and long phrases
- Emphasis on vocals
- Polyphonic
- Difference between sacred and secular music
- Music included masses, dances and madrigals (song written for a choir, usually without instrumental accompaniment).
Renaissance Composers
|
|