Renaissance

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The term “renaissance” is French for _________________. This referred to the arts. List some of the “arts”:

Due to better record keeping and changes in printing technology, composers were much more likely to get credit for their work, resulting in fewer ____________________ works.

In the Renaissance, sacred composers wrote primarily __________________ vocal music. This is when music has more than one melodic line, and the words or phrases begin and end at different times. This was supposed to imitate the music of the _____________.

A few important composers of the Renaissance:

Johannes Ockeghem (c.1410-1497) Most important composer of the early Renaissance. Wrote for each voice equally, enhancing 4-part music.

Josquin des Prez (1440-1521) Easily the most influential of all Renaissance composers.

Thomas Tallis (c. 1505–1585) One of the first English composers to write music for the Anglican church.

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594) Satisfied the Council of Trent with style called intelligible polyphony.

Orlando di Lasso (1532-1594) Wrote 2,000 pieces in four different languages.

Madalena Casulana (c. 1540–c.1590) First professional, published female composer.

William Byrd (1543-1623) Most important composer of the English Renaissance. Remained Catholic despite pressure.

Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) Most important composer of the Spanish Renaissance.

Thomas Morley (c.1557-1602) Studied with Byrd. Popularized the English madrigal.

Giovanni Gabrieli (1557–1612) Wrote polychoral works and was the first composer to use written dynamics in composition.

Carlo Gesualdo (1560-1613) Adventurous composer with unexpected chords and harmonies. Was also a prince (and murderer).

Salamone Rossi (c.1570-1630) Was an Italian Jewish composer who wrote music for the court and the synagogue.