Music History: Renaissance and Baroque — Quick Reference

PITCH

  • Definition: how high or low a note sounds. A melody is a sequence of high and low-pitched notes.

RHYTHM

  • Sounds and silences form patterns.
  • Rhythm has a steady beat and may include varied or complex beats.

MELODY

  • Melod y = a combination of pitch and rhythm; main pleasing sequence of notes in a piece.

TIMBRE

  • Sound quality or tone color that distinguishes instruments and vocal sounds.

DYNAMICS

  • Expresses how loud or soft the music should be.
  • Changes can be sudden or gradual (crescendo = louder, decrescendo = softer).

TEXTURE

  • How sound is organized in a piece.
  • Descriptions: high/low pitch; thick/thin texture.
  • Types: Polyphonic (many independent melodic lines), Monophonic (single melodic line), Homophonic (one clear voice with accompaniment).

TEMPO

  • Speed of a piece.
  • Four common kinds: Adagio, Andante, Moderato, Allegro.

BINARY

  • Form with two sections AB that are repeated.

RENAISSANCE PERIOD (Year 1400–1700)

  • Meaning: rebirth; era of discovery, innovation, and exploration for musicians.

Characteristics of Renaissance Music

  • Mostly polyphonic.
  • Imitation among voices is common.
  • Word painting in texts and music.
  • Melodic lines flow; few large leaps.

MASS

  • Sacred music setting texts of the Eucharistic liturgy.
  • Polyphonic; may be sung a cappella or with accompaniment.
  • Texts may be syllabic, neumatic, or melismatic.
  • Five main sections: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei.

MADRIGAL

  • Secular vocal polyphonic music from Italy.
  • Text-based and sung in courtly settings.
  • Important secular form of the Renaissance.

Characteristics of Mass

  • Polyphonic.
  • Sung a cappella or with orchestral accompaniment.
  • Text settings: syllabic, neumatic, or melismatic.
  • Five sections as above.

Characteristics of Madrigal

  • Polyphonic.
  • A cappella.
  • Thoroughly composed.
  • Typically 3–6 voices.

FAMOUS COMPOSERS OF THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD

  • Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina: greatest master of church music; sacred focus; Pope Marcellus Mass.
  • Thomas Morley: leading English secular composer; known for songs and madrigals.

PALESTRINA

  • Rome, 1525–1594.
  • Sacred music specialist; aligned with church authorities in the 16th century.
  • Notable work: Pope Marcellus Mass.

THOMAS MORLEY

  • Norwich, England, 1557–1602.
  • Singer and master of choristers; famed for secular music.
  • Notable works include Fire, Fire, My Heart; Sing and Chant it; Fantasie.

MEDIEVAL PERIOD

  • Also known as the Middle Ages or Dark Ages.
  • Began after the fall of the Roman Empire.
  • Christian Church heavily influenced European culture and politics.

Gregorian Chants

  • Monophonic; free meter.
  • Based on Latin liturgy.
  • Neume notation used for setting text to music.

Troubadour Music

  • Late medieval secular music.
  • Usually monophonic; may include improvised accompaniment.
  • Themes of chivalry and courtly love; originated in France; typically in French.

FAMOUS COMPOSERS OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD

  • Adam de la Halle: France, 1237–1288.
  • Early secular composer; works include chansons and plays with music; Jeu de Robin et Marion.

BAROQUE PERIOD (Year 1685–1750)

  • Baroque origin from barroco meaning pearl of irregular shape.
  • Arts emphasize grandiose ornamentation and drama.

Characteristics of Baroque Music

  • Elaborate and ornamental melodies.
  • Mostly contrapuntal textures with some homophony.
  • Dramatic dynamic contrasts.
  • Genres: operas, oratorios, suites, toccatas, concerto grosso, fugue.
  • Orchestra: strings and continuo; keyboard: harpsichord and organ.

BAROQUE GENRES

  • CONCERTO GROSSO: small group (concertino) contrasts with full orchestra (tutti).
  • CONCERTO: solo instrument with orchestra.
  • FUGUE: contrapuntal, imitative texture.
  • ORATORIO: large-scale religious narrative for orchestra and voices; no staging.
  • CHORALE: harmonized hymn tunes of Protestant church.

FAMOUS COMPOSERS OF THE BAROQUE PERIOD

  • Johann Sebastian Bach: Germany, 1685–1750; sacred music icon; organ, orchestra, and oratorio.
  • Antonio Vivaldi: Italy, 1678–1741; The Four Seasons; virtuoso violinist; prolific Baroque composer.
  • George Frideric Handel: Germany/England, 1685–1759; operas and oratorios; Messiah; renowned for royal and public performances.