Music of the Renaissance
1450-1600
The “Rebirth”
• Renaissance literally means “rebirth.”
• This was a time of renewed interest in Greek,
Roman ideas, and advances in scientific
thinking.
• For music, this was a time of rapid
development of new ideas.
A Major Advance in Music
The invention of the printing press.
The rise and rapid spread of music printing increased access to music and
books about music.
Different Musical Styles
• Sacred music: Composers continued to
develop plainsong chant. The two line
polyphony of the Middle Ages expanded to
four different vocal parts during the
Renaissance.
• The motet was a popular form of sacred
music.
• Josquin des Pres and Giovanni Palestrina were
famous composers of the motet.
The Reformation
• Around 1500, many people broke away from
the Roman Catholic Church. This period in
time is known as the Reformation.
• New Protestant churches were formed and
songs were composed for the entire
congregation not just the choir. These songs
were chorales and this style was the basis for
many hymns that are still sung today.
Different Musical Styles
• Secular music: Composers began to write
music for small groups without instruments.
These were known as madrigals and were the
most popular form of secular music during the
Renaissance.
• Madrigals were often about love. Henry VIII
was a fan of madrigals and had them
performed at feasts and weddings.
Different Musical Styles
• Instrumental music: The rise of music
printing encouraged the spread of
instrumental music for amateurs, and more
specific types emerged.
• Vocal Music: This was the “Golden Age” of A
Capella music. Religious themes would be
sung in church (sacred), and love songs were
popular secular songs.
Instruments of the Renaissance
• Composers began writing polyphonic music
for instruments. Most music was written to
accompany ballroom dancing.
• Ensembles that performed during the
Renaissance were called consorts.
• Renaissance instruments included; recorder,
shawm, lute, krummhorn, viols, and sackbutt.
Renaissance Instruments were used for accompanying
dances or songs.
• Lute
• Crumhorn
• shawm
• Recorder
More instruments of the Renaissance:
These are similar to todays strings and
trombone.
The Sackbut