Intro to Music exam #2
A Capella: -
Choral music without instrumental accompaniment.
Light, upbeat, humorous rhythms are simpler use nonsensical words Ex: Fa la la la la
English Madrigal
The Council of Trent had two major complaints with sacred music at this time:
1- The polyphonic textures of the music were becoming so complex that the sacred texts were obscured, thus losing their meaning. 2- Composers were now using secular melodies and secular rhythms in sacred music.
Word Painting:
A musical representation of specific poetic images.
The Madrigal: -
A piece of several Solo voices set to a short poem, usually about love.
Outdoor music- Passamezzo:
A stately dance in a duple meter
Middle Ages (450-1450)
Before the Middle ages, the Roman Empire controlled all things. As Rome's power 313 Constantine (The Edict of Milan), until 800 CE when Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emperor that Christianity became official religion.
A cappella
Choral music without instrumental accompainment
Giovanni Palestrina & the Renaissance Mass
Composed both Sacred and Secular Music His works include 18 masses, 70 chansons (French songs) and other secular music. Wrote over 100 Motets.
Title; As Vesta was Descending (1601) Composer: Thomas Weelkes (ca. 1575- 1623) CD & Track : CD 1; Tks 62
Description: As Vesta Was Descending, written by the great English madrigalist Thomas Weelkes, is a perfect example of the lighthearted mood typical of the English Madrigal, a secular vocal composition for several voice set to a short poem, usually about love. Like the motet, the madrigal combine both homophonic and polyphonic textures. Written for six solo voices and using unusual harmonies, this Madrigal's most prominent characteristic, like all madrigals, is to its use of word painting, which is a musical representation of specific poetic images. For example, the word "descending" is sung to downward scales and "ascending" to upward ones. Unlike its counterpart, the Italian Madrigal, the English Madrigal is lighter in mood and more humourous in nature with simpler melodies, harmonies and rhythms. Another prominent feature of the English Madrigal is the use of nonsensical words such as Fa, la, la, la.
Title; Kyrie from the Pope Marcellus Mass (1562-63) Composer: Giovanni Palestrina (ca. 1525-1594) CD & Track : CD 1; Tks 59-61
Description: The "Kyrie" from Giovanni Palestrina's Pope Marcellus Mass is written for an a cappella choir of six voice parts: soprano, alto, two tenors & two basses. It has a rich polyphonic texture with its six voices constantly imitating each other, yet blend beautifully. This work typically reflects the desire on the part of Renaissance composers for a clear projection of the sacred text. The elegantly curved melodic lines evoke the same calm and otherworldly spirit of Gregorian Chant. The lines flow smoothly and can be easily sung. The text is short and words are repeated with different melodic lines. Upward leaps in the melody are balanced at once by downward steps. The rhythms flow continuously to the end of each section, when all three voices come together on a consonant sustained chord. Each of the three sections begins in a thin texture with only some of the voices sounding, but as the other voices enter, the music becomes increasingly full and rich. The restraint and serenity of Palestrina's music reflects the emphasis on a more spiritual music. For centuries, the Church has regarded Palestrina's music as a model of church music because of its calmness and "otherworldly" quality.
1. Title: Alleluia: Vidimus Stellam (Praise the Lord: We have seen His Star) Composer: Anonymous CD & Track 1; Tks. 47-49
Description: This elaborate and jubilant Gregorian chant is the "Alleluia" (Praise the Lord) from the "Mass of the Epiphany". In this chant, many notes are sung to single syllables of text. This type of chant is known as Melismatic chant. The long series of tones on "ia" is a wordless expression of joy and religious ecstasy. The chant is A B A form (ternary); the opening alleluia melody is repeated after the middle section that is set to a biblical verses.
5. Title: Ave Maria... Virgo Serena (Hail Mary... serene virgin) (ca. 1475) Composer: Josquin des Prez (ca. 1440- 1521) CD & Track: CD 1; Tks 56-58
Description: This four-voice motet, Ave Maria...virgo serena, written for soprano, alto, tenor & bass is an outstanding example of early Renaissance choral music. The text, which is a Latin prayer to the Virgin Mary, is set to a delicate and serene music. Like most motets of the Renaissance, this piece plays on polyphonic imitation to move the piece forward, but it also combines both homophonic and polyphonic textures. The short melodic phrase on "Ave Maria: (Hail Mary) is presented by soprano voice and hen imitated in turn by the alto, tenor & bass. The next two phrases 'gratia plena" (full of grace) & "dominus tecum" (the Lord is with thee) also use the same overlapping technique which pass from one voice to another with different melodies to create a feeling of continuous flow of music.
Music in the Renaissance
Despite this obsession with capture the emotion and imagery of the text, renaissance music seems calm and restrained.
4. Title: Agnus Dei from the Notre Dame Mass (Early 1360's) Composer: Guillaume de Machaut (ca.1300-1377)
Guillaume de Machaut was the foremost composer of the 14th century French Ars Nova, His Notre Dame Mass is of great historical importance because it is one of the first complete polyphonic settings of the Ordinary of the Mass from the Middle-Ages by a known composer. Machaut music for the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) is written in a four-part polyphonic texture and is solemn and elaborate in character. It is written in a triple meter and its complex rhythmic patterns and syncopation add to the piece's intensity. The two upper voices are rhythmically active and contain much syncopation, a characteristic of the 14th century music, while the two lower voices move in larger tones and play a supporting role.
Social Class (The Church)
Had the greatest influence on all segments of society The Church was keeper of God on earth. Monks held a monopoly on learning while others, were illiterate.
Indoor music: Galliard:
Hey light, elegant dance in a triple meter
Musical movement in Renaissance Italy was;
Humanism
Imitation
Imitation among voice pats is very common
Drone
In music, a drone is a harmonic or monophonic effect or accompaniment where a note or chord is continuously sounded throughout most or all of a piece. One or more, long sustained tones accompanying a melody. Instruments used for Drones: any types of strings instrument and/or an organ
Instrumental music:
Instrumental music in the 15th century started to become popular, however it was still subordinate to vocal music. in the 16th century, instrumental music became more independent from vocal music, with more music being written specifically for instruments. composers also developed instrumental forms, which word distinct from vocal music such as " Theme and Variations". Much of this music was intended for dancing
Dark, dramatic, passionate Melodies, harmonies and Rhythms are complex use extensive example all of word painting.
Italian Madrigal
Josquin de Prez (1440-1521)
Josquin was the first great master of Renaissance music and enjoyed a great reputation among his peers. He was called "the best of all composers of his time and the Father of Musicians" by Martin Luther. He spent much of his life in Italy serving as "Capellmeister" (minister of the Chapel), in the private chapel of Cardinal Sforza and then in the Papal Choir in Rome. Later in his life he worked for King Louis XII of France. Josquin composed both Sacred and Secular music. His works include 18 masses, 70 chansons (French songs) and many other types of secular music. His greatest musical impact was with the sacred vocal music known as the Motet. He wrote over 100 Motets.
: When you listen to this Mass, of which style of music does it remind you of? Kyrie: Is divided into 3 sections:
Kyrie eleison Lord, have mercy Christe eleison Christ have mercy Kyrie eleison Lord, have mercy
Social Class (The Nobility)
Lived isolated and sheltered lives in their fortified castles. In peacetime, they amused themselves with fishing, hunting, feasts, and tournaments During wartime, noblemen fought as knights and noblewomen took care of the estate.
Italian Madrigal:
Madrigals originated in Italy around 1520 and were published by the thousands into the 16th century. Madrigals were written for the performers enjoyment as the first source of leisure music. cultivated Aristocrats originally sang Madrigals. madrigals flourished in Italy for approximately 100 years.
Historical background and The Council of Trent
Many of the Church's teachings during this time came under tremendous scrutiny by the Church itself during the Council of Trent. (1545-1563). The Council of Trent's purpose was to correct many of the abuses that
Musical Style
Music is not created in a vacuum. It is shaped by politics, economics, social structure intellectual
Giovanni Palestrina (1525- 1594)
One of the greatest and most important Italian renaissance composers was Giovanni Palestrina (1525- 1594). Palestrina devoted much of his life and music to the service of the Catholic Church and spent most of his career in Rome where he held important Church positions including "Maestro di cappella of St.Peter's in rome. Palestrina's musical output includes 104 Masses and some 450 other sacred works, as well as numerous secular vocal pieces.His compositions are typified as very clear, with voice parts well balanced and beautifully harmonized. Among the works counted as his masterpieces is the Missa Papae Marcelli (Pope Marcellus Mass)
Question: If I can't understand the sacred text and composers are using secular melodies and rhythms in sacred music, is the music still sacred?
Palestrina composed this Mass to overt such an injustice. And after having heard the Pope Marcellus Mass, and after much debate, the Council Family decided that "sacred music should not be composed to give empty pleasure to the ear, but to inspire religious contemplation".
Texture: renaissance music is chiefly
Polyphonic Imitation among voice parts is very common.
Every educated person in the Renaissance was expected to be able to:
Read/write not only his own language, but also Greek & Latin Discuss philosophy, poetry, and science. Be able to play a musical instrument and dance.
Rhythm and Melody:
Rhythms have a more gentle flow in the shop need to find beats and meters of the Middle Ages. Melodies usually move along in steps with few large leaps.
Motet
Sacred vocal music. was freer form and allowed for a wider range of text to be used with greater possibilities for 'Word Painting'
Secular Vocal Music in the Renaissance Because of humanism, we see a shift away from the church. music is being set to secular poems in languages other than Latin.
Secular vocal music starts to become more and more popular. music is now thought of as an important Leisure activity. Every educated person is expected to a trained musician, either to play an instrument or sing. the most popular form of secular vocal music in the Renaissance was the Madrigal.
Middle Ages 450-1450 Renaissance 1450-1600 Baroque 1600-1750 Classical 1750-1820 Romantic 1820-1900 Modern 1900- Present
Style refers to characteristics, ways of treating the various musical elements. Music can not be divided in the following stylish periods.
Mass:
The Renaissance Mass is an a capella, polyphonic, sacred, choral work set to the five parts of the Ordinary of the mass. (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, & Agnus Dei)
Mass
The Renaissance Mass is an a-capella, polyphonic, sacred, choral work set to the five parts of the Ordinary of the Mass. (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, * Agnus Dei).
Motet:
The Renaissance Motet is an a cappella polyphonic, sacred, choral work set to a sacred Latin text other than the Ordinary of the Mass.
3. Title: Estampie (13th century) Composer: Anoynomous CD & Track: CD 1; Tk. 51
The estampie - a medieval dance in a triple meter with a strong, fast beat- is This piece consists of single melodic line and was usually played on whatever instruments were available. Modest accomplishments were probably improvised to these dance tunes by medieval minstrels known as Jongleurs. In this recording, the melody is played on a rebee (a bowed string instrument) and a pipe (a tubular instrument). The performers on this recording have added a rhythmic drone, two simultaneous repeated notes at the interval of the fifth, played on the psaltery
Motet and the Mass
The two main forms of sacred vocal music in the Renaissance are Mass and the Motet. they are alike in style, however they differ use of text and length.
Motet and the Mass:
The two main forms of sacred vocal music in the Renaissance are the mass and the motet. they are alike in style, however they differ use of text and length.
Palestrina's music:
This Mass is written for 6 part polyphonic a cappella chorus. (SATTBB) Notice with the addition of one tenor and one bass part, Palestrina is exploiting the dark, rich tone color of the male voice The music is restrained, calm and serene. Its emphasis on the spiritual, rather than the secular.
2. Title: O successores (You successors) Composer: Hildegard of Bingen (1098- 1179) CD & Track: CD 1; Tk. 50
This type of chant: is known as Neumatic chant. Only at the end are many notes sung on the final syllable Melismatic chant. The chant is notated in the manuscript as a single melodic line without accompaniment. However, in this recording, the chant is accompanied by a drone, which is one, or more long sustained notes accompanying a melody. The drone is performed on a fiddle, a medieval bowed instrument. At first, the chants seems calm as it proceeds by stepwise motion in a low register. When the text begins to speak of angels, the chant begins to move higher.
Social Class (The Peasants)
Were the vast majority, lived in miserably small one room huts. many were surfs bound to the land and subjected to a feudal overlord.
Musical representation of specific poetic images--for example, a falling melodic line to accompany the word descending--often found in Renaissance and baroque music.
Word Painting:
English Madrigal:
in 1588, Nicholas Yonge, an English singer and publisher, published a collection of Italian madrigals in England called Musica transalpina. Over the next 40 years, the composing and singing of English madrigals consumed the noblemen and women of England, including Queen Elizabeth . The English did not adopt the Italian Madrigal; they transformed it and made it their own.
Rhythm & Melody
rhythms have a more gentle flow than the sharply defined beats and meter of the Middle Ages.
