The Renaissance
• Rebirth, or renaissance of human creativity
• Period of exploration and adventure (Columbus, Vasco da
Gama, Ferdinand Magellan)
• Curiosity and individualism (Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci).
Interest in realism
• Humanism
• Catholic Church is less powerful than during Middle Ages –
Martin Luther’s Protestant Reformation
• More books are printed in Europe
Music in the Renaissance
1450-1600
• Every educated person is expected to be trained in
music
• Renaissance town musicians: higher pay and status
• Flemish composers: parts of the Netherlands,
Belgium, and northern France. Germany, England
and Spain – other countries with a vibrant musical
life
Characteristics of
Renaissance music
Words and music
– Vocal music is more important than instrumental
– Music enhances the meaning and emotion of the text.
– Moderate, balanced way of expression: no extreme
contrasts of dynamics, tone color or rhythm
VOCAL
INSTRUMENTAL
RELIGIOUS
SECULAR
MASS AND MOTETS
MADRIGALS
CHANSONS
VILLANCICOS
DIFERENCIAS
DANCES
RELIGIOUS MUSIC
Religious music in the Renaissance
Motets
Mass
International character
Polyphonic
Using imitative counterpoint
Religious text in Latin
Composed for the most important
prayers used in the mass; kyrie
eleison, gloria, credo, sanctus,
agnus dei
Josquin des Prez, Orlando di Lasso,
Palestrina, Morales, Guerrero,
Tomás Luis de Victoria
MASSES
Kyrie - Missa Papae Marcelli – Palestrina
Sung by the Oxford Camerata
Kyrie - Missa Salve Regina– T. L Victoria
Sung by the Sixteen
Miserere. Allegri.
King's College Choir, Cambridge
King's College Choir, Cambridge
Another version. 
MOTETS
Ave Maria. T.L de Victoria
La Capella Reial de Catalunya dirigida por Jordi Savall
Sicut Cervus. Palestrina
Performer: Voices of Ascension
Ave Verum. Byrd.
Tallis scholars
Nuper rosarum flores. G Duffay
Sung by Cantica Symphonia
Secular music
• Vocal music: groups of solo voices with the accompaniment.
• The styles of secular music were particular in each country
Ballets
Chansons
Madrigal
Villancicos
Hoy comamos y bebamos. Juan del Enzina
Hesperion XX. Jordi Savall.
Niño Dios d´amor herido
Collegium Vocale Köln
Con qué la lavare. Juan Vasquez.
La Colombina (con Raquel Andueza)
The Renaissance Ballet (Fa-La)
• A simpler type of secular vocal music
• A dance-like song for several voices
• Mostly homophonic in structure. Fa-la syllables are
used as refrain
• Each stanza:
AA – refrain – BB - refrain
Flow my tears. Dowland
Andrea Scholl
Instrumental music
• Instrumental music becomes more independent
• Most music is for dance:
– Pavane or passamezzo– duple meter
– Galliard – triple meter
• Harpsichord, organ, lute, recorder, trumpet, cornett, sackbut (early
trombone), viol, regal (small organ with reed pipes), shawm (ancestor of
the oboe)
• Instrumental form of theme and variations (in Spain are called Diferencias)
Cuatro diferencias sobre el tema
“Guárdame las vacas” Luis de Narvaez.
Intérprete. Xavier Coll
La Spagna (Danza Alta) Francisco de la Torre
Intérpretes: Hespérion XXI - Director: Jordi Savall.
De Lesseps' Dance“Shakespeare in love”
DISCO MUSIC
EXTRAS
La bella y graciosa moza. Les luthiers
Moai doo wop Lets play rhythm heaven set 2 min 10.20
Munchy monk. Lets play rhythm heaven set 4
King´s consort allegri