The Renaissance Overview

The Renaissance

• The Renaissance, meaning "rebirth," spanned from 1400 to 1600, marking a revival in arts and society, modeled after classical Greek and Roman ideals.
• This era is also defined as the age of humanism, focusing on human value and individual achievements.
• The decline of feudalism resulted from advancements in agriculture, trade, and the rise of a middle class.

Key Changes of the Renaissance

• Individual achievement gained prominence alongside a shift towards everyday concerns over spiritual afterlife matters.
• Cultural merging was facilitated by improved travel and the widespread distribution of printed materials.

The Pope Problem

• In the 1300s, conflicts arose when a French king influenced the election of a pope, leading to the establishment of an international music style.

The Renaissance Mass

• The ordinary parts of the mass are sung every Sunday, while the proper mass is reserved for holidays.
• Composers began to emphasize the ordinary mass sections: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei.

Kyrie

• Translates to "Lord have mercy upon us" and is a plea for mercy in the mass setting.

Credo

• Part 3 of the Renaissance mass, derived from the Nicene Creed, expresses belief in one God and is a unique aspect of the Christian faith.

Gloria

• Translates to "Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth, peace, good will towards men."

Josquin Desprez

• Renowned composer known for the Pange Lingua Mass, integrating the Kyrie within the mass context.

Thomas Aquinas

• Wrote the plainchant hymn "Pange Lingua" in the 13th century, which influenced Josquin Desprez’s work.

Renaissance Polyphony

• Characterized by the use of imitation, distinguishing it from medieval polyphony.

Vertical Harmony

• Refers to the use of chords in musical compositions.

The Protestant Reformation

• Initiated by Martin Luther on October 31, 1517, with the posting of the 95 theses, criticizing the sale of indulgences.

King Henry VIII

• King of England who formed the Church of England due to issues with securing a male heir.

Pope Paul III

• Initiated the Counter-Reformation, addressing problems within the Catholic Church and organizing the Council of Trent.

The Council of Trent

• Focused on musical issues, advocating for simplified polyphony, increased congregational participation, and discouraged secular influences in mass music.

Palestrina

• Composer who played a critical role in establishing polyphony within the church.

Motet

• A polyphonic religious work that can be liturgical or secular.

Liturgical Music

• Music that contains the script or text of the mass, used in church services.

Word Painting

• A compositional technique where music reflects the literal meaning of the lyrics.

Exsultate Deo

• Translates to "sing out in praise of God our refuge."

Iubilate Deo

• Translates to "acclaim the God of Jacob."

Lute

• A string instrument featuring a rounded body, producing a softer sound compared to the guitar.

Medieval Music

• Primarily vocal in nature, with a focus on melody.

Troubadours

• Poets and musicians from southern France who contributed to early music development.

Trouvere

• The northern French equivalent of troubadours, known for similar poetic and musical contributions.

Minnesingers

• The German version of troubadours, blending poetry with music.

Vielle

• An early precursor to the violin, a string instrument used in medieval music.

Strophic

• A song structure where all verses are sung to the same melody, creating repetitive patterns.

Tornado

• Refers to the concluding section of a musical piece.

Randou

• Specific terminology yet to be defined, related to the context of the study material.

Explore the pivotal era of the Renaissance, a period that redefined art, culture, and humanism from the 1400s to 1600s. Learn about the key changes in individual achievement and the influence of the papacy on music. Understand how this age shaped modern society and culture.