Renaissance Era
Broad movement (14th–15th c.) focusing on humanism; name the era.
The Renaissance
Flemish 'father' of the Franco-Flemish school (1400–1460).
Guillaume Dufay
Plucked string instrument; predecessor to the modern guitar.
Lute
Secular vocal genre in the vernacular, popular in Italy.
Madrigal
T/F: Renaissance rhythm was strict like medieval isorhythm.
False
Define 'polyphony in a musical context.
Polyphony: independent melodic lines sounding at once.
Italian composer famous for madrigals and chromaticism.
Claudio Monteverdi
Bowed string family used in consorts (treble to bass).
Viol family (viola da Gamba)
Short, secular Spanish polyphonic song with dance rhythms.
Villancico
What is 'word painting'? Give an example.
Music reflecting literal text meaning (e.g., 'ascending' scales).
Two common performance contexts for secular music.
Courts and Private Households
English composer of anthems and consort songs (late 16th c).madrigals and chromaticism.
William Byrd
Identify two wind instruments used in Renaissance dance music.
Recorders, Shawms, Flutes, Bagpipes
Define 'motet' and its typical context.
Sacred Latin polyphonic composition.
Counterpoint rules: name one contrapuntal device.
Independence of lines; Imitation/Inversion.
Significance of the printing press on music distribution.
Wider distribution and standardization of works
Why was Josquin des Prez widely admired by his peers?
Mastery of imitation and expressive text setting.
Viol family role vs. the violin family’s later prominence.
Viols for blended consorts; Violins for projection/virtuosity.
Mass Ordinary vs. Liturgical Plainchant structure.
Polyphonic movements vs. Monophonic chant.
How did secular patronage influence composition?
Patrons dictated the genre and occasion.
Difference: Renaissance sacred music vs. medieval chant.
Polyphony/Harmony vs. Monophonic single-line chant.
Composer associated with Council of Trent text clarity.
Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina
How did tuning/pitch variability affect performance?
Lack of standard pitch; meantone temperament.
Genre blending solo voice and accompaniment (pre-Baroque).
Monody
Reformation vs. Counter-Reformation impact on style.
Vernacular/Simplicity vs. Latin/Clarity.