His Lit Unit 2 Study Guide

Ockeghem's "Kyrie" style

Voices use the same music in different meters across 4 parts.

Josquin's "Mille regretz"

A chanson about the regrets of life and love, mostly homophonic with text painting.

Josquin's "Ave Maria"

Features a canon-like beginning, duets, couplets, and stanzas about Mary's life.

Major vs. Minor Prolation

Major divides the beat into 3 parts (compound); minor divides it into 2 parts (simple).

Prolation Mass

Includes Subdivision

Perfect vs. Imperfect Prolation

Perfect has 3 beats per measure, Imperfect has 2 beats per measure

Perfect vs. Imperfect Time

Perfect has 3 beats per measure; imperfect has 2 beats per measure.

Ockeghem's dates and output

1420-1497; wrote 13 masses, a Requiem, 5 motets, and 21 chansons.

Josquin's dates and output

1450-1521; wrote 18 masses, 55+ motets, and 65 chansons.

Josquin's new musical style

4 voices, imitative counterpoint, clear harmony, equal voices, and duple meter.

Ways Renaissance masses were named

From mode, first notes, motto, structural features, or no name (sine nomine).

Mensuraction canon

A canon featuring different voices playing the same melody at different durations and meters simultaneously. (used in Agnus Dei)

Frottole

Light entertainment music in Italian courts.

Laude

Strophic, four-part religious gathering songs with upper-voice melody.

Juan del Encina's "Oy comamos y bebamos"

A Mardi Gras villancico with a simple melody and refrain.

Ciprano de Rore's "Da la belle contrade d'oriente"

An Italian sonnet featuring dialogue, imitation, and text painting.

Italian Madrigal characteristics

Artful poetry, homophonic/polyphonic mix, popular between 1530 and 1600.

Contrafactum

Taking an existing melody and putting new words to it (e.g., Luther).

Luther's contributions

Created chorales, congregational singing, the German Mass, and contrafactum.

Calvin's church practices

Promotes psalm singing only; associated with Genevan Psalter and Puritans.

English monarchs and the church

Henry VIII formed it, Edward VI added Prayer Book, Mary restored Catholicism, Elizabeth I created Anglican Church.

Council of Trent (1545-1563)

Addressed music deemed too complicated or profaned during the Counter-Reformation.

Palestrina

Known as the 'prince of music'; wrote 104 masses and revised chant books.

William Byrd

Important English composer, secretly Catholic, believed in scripture's power.

Ockeghem musical characteristics

4 Voices of Similar Character (counterpuntal textual), full/think texture, extended the bass

Tenor Mass

Build on a single Cantus Firmus

Why is a Tenor Mass sometimes referred to as a Cyclic Mass?

The movements are musically unified (like a Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, etc)

What does the word Canon mean?

Latin for "rule" (measuring ruler) - Ex. Missa Prolationum (notated for 2 voices, sung in 4 voices)

Missa Mi Mi

Derived from the first two notes of bass (e, a) both sung on a mi syllable.

Names and Dates of 3 Most well known composers after Ockeghem

- Jacob Obrech (1478-1505)

- Henricus (Heinrich) Isaac (1450-1517)

* Josquin Desprez (1450-1521)

Josquin's Approach to Setting music?

Strophic text, 4/5 line poems, all voice parts are structurally equal, music should communicate the text, polyphonic with some imitation

Parody Mass

Polyphonic mass in which each movement is based on the same polyphonic model, normally a chanson or motet, and all voices of the model are used in the mass, but none is used as a cantus firmus.

Paraphrase Mass

POLYPHONIC MASS in which each MOVEMENT is based on the same MONOPHONIC MELODY, normally a CHANT, which is PARAPHRASED in most or all voices rather than being used as a CANTUS FIRMUS in one voice.

What significant change did printed music bring to the music economy?

Music became a commodity sold for profit, increasing demand for printed music. Amateurs could perform music for their own enjoyment.

How did reading music become a social grace for the upper and middle classes?

Reading music was seen as a skill that enhanced social status and enjoyment.

What are the key characteristics of the Italian Madrigal?

Composed to short poems, reflecting rhythm and words, with all voices equal and overlapping sections.

What impact did the Italian Madrigal have on Italy's prominence in music?

It showcased humanism and elevated Italy's status in European music.

What was the significance of women's voices and ensembles in music during this era?

They introduced dynamic expression and clear diction, winning favor with patrons.

Who was Carlo Gesualdo and why is he significant in music history?

A prince known for his unstable life and unconventional music themes of torment and death.

What are the innovative aspects of Claudio Monteverdi's compositional style?

He combined polyphonic vocal ensembles with instrumental accompaniment and used a mix of homophonic and contrapuntal parts.

What are the characteristics of French chansons from this period?

Light, fast, strongly rhythmic, with four parts, syllabic text, and structured in short sections.

What cultural links existed between England and Italy during this time?

Shakespeare's plays set in Italy and the circulation of Italian madrigals in England.

Who were the three important English composers of the 16th century?

Thomas Morley, Thomas Weelkes, and John Dowland, each contributing significantly to madrigals and ballets.

What were the main geographical centers for musical change during the Reformation?

Germany, Switzerland, and England.

What musical contributions did the Lutheran Church make during the Reformation?

Introduction of chorales consisting of text and tune, often based on secular tunes.

What was Jean Calvin's view on sacred music?

He believed in singing psalms to monophonic tunes, published in Psalters without accompaniment.

How did the Church of England come into being?

Henry VIII split from Rome to annul his marriage, becoming the head of the Church of England.

Why is Palestrina considered the principal composer of the Counter-Reformation?

His style became the standard for polyphonic church music, aligning with the goals of the Catholic Church.

What were some of Palestrina's musical accomplishments?

He composed the Missa Papae Marcelli and rewrote liturgical guidelines for sacred music.

What contributions did Lassus make to sacred music?

He was an advocate of text expression and synthesized achievements of the era in his motets.

What was William Byrd's relationship with the Church of England and the Catholic Church?

He composed sacred works for the underground Catholic Church and foundational English service music.

How did Byrd view scripture in relation to musical composition?

He believed scripture and text shaped musical structure and expression. He believed in the power of scripture to inspire.