The Renaissance (1450 - 1600)
The Renaissance period is about the declining power and influence of the Church and a reawakening or rebirth of the sciences and the quest for knowledge, which the early Greeks had introduced, but which had been neglected or suppressed during the Middle Ages. This broad social movement manifested in a number of ways. For instance, the view of the universe shifts from one that is God centered to one that is man centered. In terms of music, listeners can take sensual pleasure in listening to music and explore human emotions through the music. This is also a time when music and the arts flourished throughout Europe.
Other developments include
1. the Reformation movement initiated by Martin Luther (1483-1546). He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with monetary Links to an external site. values. Luther taught that salvation Links to an external site. and subsequently eternity in heaven is not earned by good deeds but is received only as a free gift of God's grace Links to an external site. through faith Links to an external site. in Jesus Christ Links to an external site. as redeemer from sin and subsequently eternity in Hell Links to an external site.. His theology Links to an external site. challenged the authority of the Pope Links to an external site. of the Roman Catholic Church Links to an external site. by teaching that the Bible Links to an external site. is the only source Links to an external site. of divinely Links to an external site. revealed knowledge from God. (Wikipedia).
2. The Age of Discovery begins in the 15th Century. With technological advances in ship building, European explorers set sail around the world competing to become the first to navigate the globe or to discover new lands and new riches. It also marks the beginning of colonialism.
The Age of Discovery at first did not have a great impact on music until musicologists in the early 20th Century began looking at it. Today, with the aid of digital media, music from around the world is easily accessible and musicians often borrow influences from other cultures to include in their music.
Music of the Renaissance Period
Sacred polyphonic music was still in vogue during the Renaissance. However, Renaissance composers developed and refined the approach, adding new elements as well as changes here and there to the music.
The most significant and highly developed use of polyphony during this period in the formal Roman Catholic liturgy called the Ordinary of the Mass. It is "ordinary" in the sense that this mass can be performed any time as opposed to those liturgies that are performed for a special occasion or a specific saint.
The Ordinary of the Mass is divided into five texts or movements, each being accompanied by music and lyrics:
Kyrie
Gloria
Credo
Sanctus
Agnus Dei
We will focus for a moment on the Gloria. Below is a translation of the lyrics:
- Glory to God in the highest,
- and on earth peace to people of good will.
- We praise you,
- we bless you,
- we adore you,
- we glorify you,
- we give you thanks for your great glory,
- Lord God, heavenly King,
- O God, almighty Father.
- Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
- Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
- you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
- you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
- you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
- For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High,
- Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Listening Example on Spotify:
Missa Pange lingua: Gloria – Josquin des Prez, Josquin des Prez Chamber Choir (4:44)
Links to an external site.
0 secs - 0:14. Male tenor voice sings a melody. This short melody is also sung at the beginning of the other movements of the Ordinary of the Mass.
0:15 - 34 secs. The male bass or baritone joins the male tenor. His voice is lower than the tenor.
Important: Notice that the tenor does not sing in the slowed down version that we listened to during the Middle Ages. Now, they are singing the melody and lyrics as fast as the other voices. This is a new development during the Renaissance.
0:34 - 50 secs. The males drop out and the soprano (the highest pitched voice) enters along with the alto or next highest pitched voice.
Note: the vocal ranges specified for the various singers are the same today as what we call soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.
Other Musical Developments during the Renaissance Period
The Madrigal Links to an external site.
Listening Example on Spotify: Links to an external site.
This is an example of a madrigal, which is a form of secular music from about 1530 to 1600. Generally, madrigals set poems in Italian (later in English as well) to music. They were usually sung by four or five voices a capella.
Dance Music
The German Michael Praetorius (1571-1621) composed a large set of dances entitled "Terpsichore." These were performed instrumentally without voice. Often times, they simply used whatever instruments were available at the time. In this recording you can hear a recorder play the melody.