Renaissance Sacred Music: Palestrina and the Lutheran Chorale
Palestrina: A Master of Renaissance Sacred Music
Among the composers of religious music from the time of the Council of Trent is Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. His music has been traditionally revered and considered the pinnacle of 16th-century polyphony. He adopted the name of the place where he was born, Palestrina, a small town near Rome, and his whole life was dedicated to serving the most important churches in the city: Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni in Laterano, and San Pietro. With
Read MoreJazz, Traditional Music, Voice, and Melody: A Musical Exploration
Jazz Origins and Characteristics
Jazz, born in the early twentieth century in the United States, is based on improvisation and unwritten musical forms. Musicians create in the moment, joining notes. A dotted note adds half its value. Syncopation emphasizes rhythmically weak parts of a measure. Pop and rock are derived from jazz and use syncopated rhythms. The sound is typically provided by drums, electric bass, rhythm guitar, and a soloist.
Anacrusis and Traditional Music
An anacrusis occurs when music
Read MoreBaroque Literature: Cultism, Conceptism, and Key Figures
Baroque Literature: Cultism and Conceptism
The Baroque was an artistic and literary movement that developed in the 17th century, originating in Italy and spreading throughout Europe. It was characterized by elaborate ornamentation, dramatic contrasts, and a focus on emotional expression.
Baroque Literary Styles
- Cultism: Characterized by elaborate language, cultured vocabulary, and the use of hyperbole. It emphasized the *how to say* things. Cultism was heavily influenced by the Spanish poet Luis de
Anglo-Saxon England Literature and Medieval Works
Anglo-Saxon England (5th-11th)
The literature of this era was created for oral transmission. Oral composition, with texts written down five centuries later. Folk literature included work songs, sung by slaves and soldiers.
Charms (5th-9th)
Gadmund’s poem was created after the Saxon invasion of England, following the Roman Catholic retreat. Gadmun is a name of pagan origin. The poem aimed to curse bad people and was used to recover stolen goods.
- No rhyme at the end of the line.
- Repetitions.
- Periphrasis
Renaissance Music: Sacred, Secular, and Instrumental Forms
Religious Music in the Counter-Reformation (16th Century)
The musical Renaissance in Italy culminated with the Council of Trent and the prominent figure of Palestrina. The Council of Trent aimed to create a musical art form that would serve as a defense against heresy, characterized by four qualities:
- Elimination of all profane aspects from the music.
- Music should serve the text.
- Use of Latin to easily reach the ear.
- The song should not provide mere satisfaction to the ear.
Thus, the Council of Trent
Read MoreMedieval and Renaissance Music: History and Characteristics
Unit 3: Music in the Middle Ages
From the 5th to the 14th century, music was primarily heard in churches and monasteries. Monasteries listened to Gregorian chant.
Characteristics of Gregorian Chant:
- Texture: Monodic, a single voice
- Timbre: Vocal, a cappella, no instruments
- Text: Latin
- Composer: Anonymous, they did not sign their names out of humility
- Movement: Slow, no rush
- Rhythm: No marked beats, open, dependent on the text, not repetitive
- Melody: Long, according to the text or voice
- Character: Relaxing,