Renaissance(1450-1600)

Renaissance: New BirthThe rebirth of ancient Greek and Roman

philosophy and art

Thing’s happening in Europe:

1.The discovery of America- New lands were discovered.

- New scientific knowledge (the world is round, notflat)

Thing’s happening in Europe:

2. The Religious Reformation:

Martin Luther questioned the teachings of the Catholic Church. He became the first “protestant” against Catholic teachings.

Division into Catholics and Protestants

Thing’s happening in Europe:

3. Invention of the Printing Press:

Spread of books and written music.Spread of knowledge and ideas.Knowledge became available to upper and middle classes.

Ways of thinking:

1. Importance of Ancient Greek and Roman CulturesArts and ideas were copied from these cultures.

Ways of thinking: 2. Importance of “Universal Man”Education and knowledge had value. An educated person had to know about all the subjects, including music.

Ways of thinking: 3. HumanismLess focus on ‘extreme religion’ than in the Middle Ages. More focus on human life and accomplishments., as well as on the human body.

Musicians and artists had better status and pay. Most worked for a patron (someone who paid them to make art or music for them).

Artists and musicians became recognized (In the Middle Ages they were anonymous).

Acapella Continuous imitation Word Painting Cantus firmus

Renaissance Musical Style:

Motet Mass Hymn Polychoral singing Antiphonal singing

Renaissance Sacred Music

Giovanni Perluigi Palestrina

Josquin des Prez

William Byrd

Martin Luther

Dance Chanson Italian Madrigal English Madrigal Concerto delle donne

Renaissance Secular Music