The Renaissance- ~1420-1600

Rebirth of interests and passions in the arts

Sacred Music: No longer completely controlled by the church

  Josquin des Prez (1440-1521) - served   in great courts in France and Italy, including the Sistine Chapel in Rome.    He introduced the simultaneous use of several voice parts having melodic lines.

(musical selection: Josquin des Prez - "Ave Maria... virgo serena")

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525 - 1594) - served at Sistine Chapel as well as St. Peter's.   He composed masses and motets in more refined style which would be imitated later by composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms.

(musical selection: Palestrina - "Pope Marcellus Mass, Gloria")

Secular Music: The Madrigal - Poets and composers collaborated to create works.  Often dealt with love and emotion.

Luca Marenioz (1553 or 1554 - 1599) - composed vocal music in Italy and was most famous for his madrigals

(musical selection: Marenioz - "Cantate Ninfe")

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