Lesson 3: Renaissance Composers, c. 1400–c. 1600

Chapel Royal

royal chapel where clergy, singers, and church officers provide services for the sovereign; it often traveled with the royal family

Preces

a type of prayer in which an officiant begins with a phrase (versicle) followed by a response from the congregation

Versicle

first half of a preces

Litany

prayer that begins with clergy and has a response from congregation in a recurring formula

Canticles

hymns or chants

Frottola

a form of Italian comic or amorous song with three or four voices (plural: frottole)

Cantus firmus

a melody that serves as a basis for polyphony

Canon

when the melody is repeated in one or more other parts

Kyries

specific prayer from the Catholic mass

Credos

a musical setting of the Nicene creed

Requiems

musical composition for the Mass of the repose for the souls of the dead

Ostinato

continually repeated musical phrase or rhythm

Angular melody

characterized by consecutive large leaps between notes

Dissonance

lack of harmony; mingling of sounds that strike the ear harshly

Consort songs

a song for one or more voices accompanied by a group of instruments

Anthems

musical composition of celebration

Virginals

a harpsichord-like instrument

Contrapuntal

another name for counterpoint; independent melodies having equal value

Lieder

German song for solo voice and piano accompaniment

Antiphonal

one choir or group sings and is answered by a second choir or group

During the 16th century, the main source of employment for composers was the _______.

Church

In 1517, _______ posted his Ninety-Five Theses, beginning the Protestant Reformation.

Martin Luther

After the Reformation, composers could earn money through the Catholic Church, the Protestant Church, or the _______ of music.

Printing and dissemination

Thomas Tallis (1505–1585) was an English composer who joined the _______ in 1543 and served there until his death.

Chapel Royal

Tallis changed his music with England’s religion: for Catholics he used _______ in Latin, for Protestants he wrote clear choral settings.

Polyphony

Tallis was known as a master of _______ and wrote both sacred and keyboard music.

Counterpoint

Josquin des Prez (c. 1450–1521) was known for writing both _______ and _______ music, including masses, motets, chansons, and frottole.

Secular, sacred

Josquin’s early works used _______ technique, while his later works favored _______ and _______ techniques.

Cantus firmus; parody; paraphrase

Josquin’s music was highly _______ and skillfully used _______. He was even a favorite composer of _______.

Expressive; canon; Martin Luther

Who was Pierre de la Rue?

A Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance, active in the Habsburg-Burgundian court.

What musical forms did Pierre de la Rue compose?

Masses, motets, chansons, and other sacred music. It is said he composed music for all instruments but the lute.

What was notable about Pierre de la Rue’s style?

Rich, complex polyphony and use of low vocal ranges.

Who was Claudio Monteverdi?

An Italian composer who bridged the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

What new musical form is Monteverdi credited with developing?

Opera — his L’Orfeo (1607) is one of the earliest operas still performed.

What are Monteverdi’s famous works?

Vespers of 1610, L’Orfeo, and later operas like L’incoronazione di Poppea.

Who was William Byrd?

An English Renaissance composer, considered one of the greatest of his time.

What types of music did Byrd write?

Masses, motets, madrigals, consort music, and keyboard pieces. It is said he composed music for all instruments but the lute.

Why was Byrd’s music significant in England?

He composed for both the Catholic Mass (secretly) and the Anglican Church, showing versatility under religious tension.

Who was Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and why is he important in music history?

An Italian composer (c.1525–1594) credited with over 100 masses and 250 motets. Known for his skill in counterpoint and conservative church style, he served as music director at St. Peter’s Basilica and was regarded by the Vatican as a “master of music.” He also founded the Vertuosa Compagnia dei Musici.

What are the contributions of Orlande de Lassus to Renaissance music?

A Franco-Flemish composer (c.1530–1594) who wrote over 2,000 works in multiple styles and five languages. He worked in Munich, was knighted by Emperor Maximilian, and popularized musica reservata, an emotionally expressive a cappella style.

How did Giovanni Gabrieli influence Renaissance and early Baroque music?

An Italian organist and composer (c.1554–1612) at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Venice. He pioneered the Venetian style, using antiphonal choirs and instruments for dramatic effects. His works blended sacred, secular, and instrumental music, introducing contrasts of loud and soft.