2. THE REIGN OF POLYPHONY
The biggest development in music during the Renaissance was POLYPHONY. During the last part of the Middle Ages the composers had been experimenting with polyphony, sometimes using different voices that move at the same rhythm (homophonic texture), and sometimes creating more independence between the different voices.
In the Renaissance, the different voices in a composition will sing different melodies at once, or similar melodies starting in different points. This texture, known as polyphony, will be a constant during the Renaissance, experiencing a huge improvement.
In the Renaissance, the different voices in a composition will sing different melodies at once, or similar melodies starting in different points. This texture, known as polyphony, will be a constant during the Renaissance, experiencing a huge improvement.
This texture is going to be possible thanks to the development of music notation, that will allow composers to write more complex compositions and interactions between the melodies.
2.1. SACRED VOCAL MUSIC
2.1.1. Catholic music
During the Renaissance, religious (or sacred) music had an international style, characterized by the use of Latin for the lyrics, and the use of some common musical forms such as motet and mass.
In the religious music of the Renaissance different pieces are composed for different parts of the service. This way we see the birth of a very popular piece sung in Latin, the MOTET. Motets are polyphonic compositions for various voices. They became so popular that secular music soon started using this form, but using the local languages (French, Italian, Castilian, etc.). During the religious service, motets were used for moments that were not especially relevant.
Another kind of composition used in sacred music was the MASS. It was formed by various musical pieces, one for each part of the mass (Kyrie, Sanctus, Gloria, Credo, Agnus Dei). The compositions of a mass were used in the most important moments of the service.
In this period, the composer becomes important, and therefore there were many important composers of sacred music during the Renaissance. Some of the most relevant names are:
2.1.2. Protestant music
During the Renaissance, an important religious movement arises in Germany: theologist and friar Martin Luther, in disagreement with the Catholic practices (that he considered corrupted), inspired the Protestant Reformation. This was a new way to approach religion.
Musically, Protestantism was characterized by the chorale, a type of polyphonic composition with texts in the German language, and with homophonic texture.
- Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.
- Orlando di Lasso.
- Josquin des Prez.
- Tomás Luis de Victoria.
Below you can listen to a motet by Palestrina, performed by L.A. Choral Lab.
2.1.2. Protestant music
During the Renaissance, an important religious movement arises in Germany: theologist and friar Martin Luther, in disagreement with the Catholic practices (that he considered corrupted), inspired the Protestant Reformation. This was a new way to approach religion.
Musically, Protestantism was characterized by the chorale, a type of polyphonic composition with texts in the German language, and with homophonic texture.
