Chapter Five Lecture Notes

    The Renaissance period was a time of great change brought about by optimism, curiosity, and a real pride in accomplishment.  During this time, the power of the Catholic Church declined (read about the Protestant Reformation).  That led to an increase in secularism, including secular music.  The inventing of the press made possible the spread of music.  The rising merchant class provided the means to encourage education outside the Church.  That same wealth also provided job opportunities for musicians, for everyone was expected to be musically literate (see text page 99).

        As you read the Chapter, think about a comparison of the Renaissance sacred music and the Renaissance secular music.  They were similar in their prevailing texture (polyphony), but they differed in several ways.  Consider the following comparison:

 

Sacred masses/motets Secular madrigals
1.    Latin  1.    native language.  All countries have their popular music, but the madrigal originated in Italy.
2.    male singers  2.    male and female singers
3.    less emphasis on the beat  3.   more emphasis on the beat, as some might want to dance to it; perhaps a faster tempo
4.    more restrained in mood  4.    more emotional in mood.  These madrigals
 contained "word painting" (see text page 110).
5.    often "a cappella"  5.   could also be "a cappella", but often these   songs were accompanied by instruments such  as a lute, recorder, or harpsichord. 
   
     This is an appropriate time to mention the term "patronage" in music (see page 106 in your textbook).  We all are patrons as we support a particular store such as Food Lion, Sears, etc.  Patronage refers to who is supporting or paying a musician.  In the Medieval period, the Church was the only patron.  Now, in the Renaissance,  there were more opportunities opening up, and the types of music composed varied with the patron.

    There is not yet any orchestra.  There are small groups of instruments that play - often just four or  so.  Popular instruments include lute, recorder, harpsichord.  The largest category of instrumental music during the Renaissance was dance music, since dancing was one of the favorite forms of entertainment.   Here is a great link to see and listen to Medieval and Renaissance musical instruments.