1. The Renaissance AD

2. Beginning of the renaissance
Began slowly, at different times in different regions in Europe
Began as early as 1350 in Italy, but didn’t arrive in France until 1500
England didn’t join in until 1550!

3. Beginning of the renaissance
Art, music, and literature also joined the Renaissance at different times
Art historians say the Renaissance began in painting in the 1330s
Literary historians say Renaissance poetry began around 1350
Music historians say Renaissance music does not appear until after the 1420s

4. About The renaissance Literally translates as “rebirth” in French
A time of advancement in society:
Exploration (Christopher Columbus)
Art (Michaelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci)
Poetry and Plays (William Shakespeare)
Technology- printing press (Johann Gutenberg)
Music- Josquin des Prez, Giovanni Palestrina

5. What does the music sound like?
Voices and instruments began to work together to create harmony on purpose
Dissonant, clashing harmonies were avoided
Polyphonic melodies use a technique called imitation:
One melody duplicates (or imitates) the notes & rhythms of another for a few measures

7. EXAMPLE OF IMITATION IN POLYPHONIC MUSIC

8. Polyphonic vocal music
During the Renaissance, vocal music grew to include up to FOUR melodies performed at the same time
Four-part polyphonic vocal music is called a motet
Unlike music of the Medieval Period, words to the motets were LESS important than the music
Music was considered an art form

10. PROTESTANT REFORMATION
Around 1500 AD many people broke away from the Roman Catholic Church to form their own congregations
Called Protestant Churches
Protestant churches used music meant for singing by the WHOLE congregation, not just the choir like the Catholic churches

11. Protestant reformation
Singing by the whole congregation is called chorale singing
These chorales are the basis for many hymns that are still sung in churches today
Always sung in the common language, NOT Latin

14. RISE OF THE MIDDLE CLASS
During the Renaissance, the wealth that belonged to the nobles began to trickle down to the lower classes
People moved to cities and spent more time seeing plays and concerts
Music was made part of a well-rounded education! Yay!

15. The Printing press Invented in 1450 by Johann Gutenberg
Books and sheet music could be printed and made available to the public
Middle class learned to play instruments and read music using books for lute, recorder, and guitar

16. Secular music: madrigals
Madrigals, or songs for small groups of voices without instruments, became the most popular form of secular music during the Renaissance
Subjects usually about love
Became an important part of special occasions

17. madrigals
King Henry VIII of England liked them so much he had them sung at feasts and weddings
Often had repeated choruses like the popular music of today
What we think of as “sailor songs” and uses stereotypical “fa-la-las”

19. Instrumental Music
During the Renaissance people began writing polyphonic pieces just for instruments
Often written to accompany ballroom dancing
Instruments and voices were sometimes combined for variety

22. El grillo (“the cricket”)
Composed by Josquin des Prez
Music and text work together to imitate the sound of a cricket

23. Medieval vs. Renaissance
Music of the Medieval Period
Music of the Renaissance
Simple melodies
Polyphonic music only used two melodies
Polyphonic music grew to four melodies
Music became more of an art form