Music of the Elizabethan Era

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The Elizabethan Era, named for Queen Elizabeth I, the reigning queen of England from 1558 to 1603 is also known as The Golden Age of English History. This was a time in which music flourished along with other art forms including literature, painting, sculpting, fashion and architecture. Music during this era played a significant role in the lives of citizens from all social classes and also led to many composers and songs becoming famous. Although music of today is very different in comparison, it was affected and molded by the music of the Elizabethan Era.

Elizabethan music affected almost every area of a person’s life and was divided into five different types. These types were church music, theatre music, court music, street music and town music. Music during this era originated with poetry being sung. The music of this era was known for its steady rhythm and its polyphony. Polyphony is the use of establishing a simple main theme at the beginning and then playing it in a more complex manner. Elizabethan music was also marked by its keen ability to reflect a variety of moods and...

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