Music: Renaissance (1400 - 1600)

This period was characterized by a “rebirth” of creativity, and there was a great emphasis on humanism (human life and accomplishments) during this period. The Roman Catholic Church had become less powerful, and the protestant reformation spurred on by Martin Luther occurred during this period. Musical creativity blossomed and anyone that was considered educated was also trained in music. The numbers of composers and performers increased, and most of them found work in churches, courts, and towns.

The Renaissance saw great advancements in science and art. Printing and the compass were invented while realism took root in art. This period gave us the wondrous works of Donatello, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo. This period also gave us the works from the great authors including Cervantes, Marlowe, and Shakespeare.

During this period, instrumental music was still not as important as vocal music, but there was a new effort to use instrumental music to make the text of the music come to life. However, the use of instrumental without vocals would not become common until the 16th century.

Renaissance music had a full sound and incorporated the use of the bass register for the first time. The rhythm of the music gave the music a gentle mild feel. This period was also known as the “Golden Age of Acapella” choral music. Voice and instruments were combined in a fluid representation of the words of the piece of music. Instruments were used to enhance or even take the place of singers. Outside the church, poems were set to music and were usually about love.

While there were orchestras and ensembles during this period, they did not exist as they do today. Each time a piece was played different instruments would be used based on which instruments were available.

The Gregorian chant was still present in sacred music but was primarily used in cantus firmus form (the Gregorian chant served as the foundation- the fixed melody). Continuous imitation was a popular vocal technique used which involved voices imitating each other continually. Word painting was also important during this period. The music was written so it would express the text of the music.

Popular sacred forms of music of the Renaissance included the mass and motet while popular secular forms included the chanson and the madrigal.