Historical Context
The term for the philosophy that focuses on the value of people, as opposed to gods and deities.
This musical device, in which composers reflect the text of a piece using musical elements, became widely used during this time.
Word Painting
A polyphonic sacred work made up of five sections.
Mass
These pieces were written for voice and lute.
Lute Songs
In the 16th century, this country became the cultural center of Europe.
Italy
The invention of this device helped spread knowledge, music, and the arts across Europe.
The Printing Press
The use of these helped create a stronger sense of tonality in Renaissance music than had previously existed.
Triads
A polyphonic sacred work using texts other than the mass ordinary
Motet
The instrument that the lute is a descendant of.
The Arab ud
Britain
The restructuring of the Catholic church when portions broke away to establish a new form of Christianity.
Protestant Reformation
The manuscripts for this music was not as carefully preserved, therefore few survived.
Instrumental Music
Name one of the sections of the mass
Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei
A piece for several solo voices set to a short poem, usually about love.
Madrigal
The system in which composers found employment either with a church or working for a wealthy citizen.
Patronage
The economic boost led to the development of this societal class.
The Middle Class
The texture of lute songs.
Homophonic
Name one of the two famous sacred composers we discussed in class.
Josquin des Prez or Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
The two main types of secular music
Solo voice with instrument and multiple equal voices
The name of the wealthy Italian family, became important patrons of the arts, literature, and architecture.
Medici
Explain how the economy of the Renaissance affected the way people experienced music in their lives.
The middle class were financially comfortable enough to have some free time and resources to focus on tasks besides survival. They could develop new hobbies including learning to read, compose, and perform music.
This is the texture of most Renaissance music, however homophonic textures were also used.
Polyphony
What effect did the Protestant Reformation have on the music of the church? How did the Catholic church respond in its music?
Under Protestantism, the congregation was allowed to participate in worship, including singing. Instruments were also allowed in worship. More people became musically literate as a result. The Catholic church responded by becoming more restrained, blaming the Protestant increase in polyphony and instrumentation and as being too theatrical and not focused on text.
Explain the role of instruments in the Renaissance and how it evolved.
At the beginninginstruments only accompanied vocalists. If instruments played alone they often only played the vocal melody of a madrigal. By the end of the era, composers were writing for instrumental ensembles. Instruments were still not allowed in Catholic worship but they were used in Protestant churches.
Explain how the role of composers of the Renaissance differed from that of the Middle Ages.
Composers were no longer content to remain anonymous and desired credit and public recognition for their work. Many found work in the patronage system, working for the wealthy or royalty. These patrons often competed for the best composers. Other composers were self employed.