1. Higher Early Music

2. Renaissance
A style of music from the period from about 1450 to 1600, i.e. pre Baroque.

3. This term was used before the development of major and minor keys.
Before continuing with this unit an important melodic and harmonic issue to note is:-
Modes and Modal
In the Renaissance period it was normal to speak about modes or music being modal.
This term was used before the development of major and minor keys.
Although you do not need to name them the different modes are outlined for you below.

4. Vocal Music

5. Latin
Word Setting

6. Also known as plainsong and Gregorian Chant.
Plainchant
Also known as plainsong and Gregorian Chant.
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Unaccompanied melody set to words of the Roman
Catholic liturgy, such as the Mass.
Plainchants are modal and have no regular metre.
They follow the rhythm of the Latin words.

7. The Mass Features of the Mass include:-
A sacred choral work using the Six main sections of the Roman Catholic church liturgy.
Features of the Mass include:-
Latin text and polyphonic texture.
In the Renaissance usually sung a capella.
Post Renaissance a large-scale work for chorus, soloists and orchestra.

8. The Six main parts of the Mass can be recognised by their words.
The sections are:-
Kyrie – “Kyrie eleison; Christe eleison; Kyrie eleison”
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Gloria – “Gloria in excelsis Deo”
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Credo – “Credo in unum Deum”
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Sanctus – “Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth ”
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Benedictus – “Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini”
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Agnus Dei – “Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi”
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9. Motet
In the Renaissance era this was a sacred choral work with Latin text.
It normally has a polyphonic texture.
It was usually sung A cappella.
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10. English
Word Setting

11. Renaissance vocal works can be split in to two categories .
They are detailed below.
Song type
Secular
(non-religious)
Madrigal
Proper
Ballett
Ayre
(Air(
Religious
(non-secular)
Anthem

12. Madrigal Proper Non-religious text in English
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Non-religious text in English
Elements of homophony and polyphony
Use of imitation
Use of word painting
Through-composed music
Usually A cappella

13. Ballett
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A type of madrigal in strophic form which was originally danced to.
It features a fa-la-la refrain at the end of each verse.
Strophic Form
English non-religious text
A capella

14. Ayre (Air) Normally strophic form English non-religious text
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An ayre (air or song) is a madrigal which can be performed by a solo voice
with lute accompaniment; by solo voice accompanied by other
instruments; or with all parts sung by voices with accompaniment.
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Normally strophic form
English non-religious text
Usually accompanied

15. Anthem The anthem is the Protestant equivalent of the Motet.
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The anthem is the Protestant equivalent of the Motet.
It is a short sacred choral piece sung in English.
Either a cappella or accompanied and featuring solo parts.

16. Instrumental
Music

17. Pavane A Renaissance court dance normally followed by a Galliard.
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A Renaissance court dance
normally followed by a Galliard.
The pavan is slow and stately
with two beats in the bar.
Normally performed on either
Harpsichord, lute or viols.

18. Galliard A Renaissance court dance which follows the Pavan.
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A Renaissance court dance
which follows the Pavan.
A galliard is quick and lively
with three beats in a bar.
Normally performed on either
Harpsichord, lute or viols.

19. Instruments

20. Consort A small group of instruments of the same family
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A small group of instruments of the same family
playing together, e.g. a consort of viols.

21. The early version of modern day string family
Viols
The early version of modern day string family
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22. A renaissance instrument similar to the guitar
Lute
A renaissance instrument similar to the guitar
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23. Recorders
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24. Other Features

25. Hemiola
A rhythmic device giving the impression of a piece of music changing
from duple (2) to triple (3) time, or vice versa
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26. Antiphonal Dialogue between voices or instruments –
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Dialogue between voices or instruments –
one group of voices or instruments answers the other.