There is a common trope in music theory during the past twenty years that suggests that tonal voice-leading principles developed not solely through the contingencies of history but are also rooted in and constrained by physical and psychological phenomena. Much of this research explicates the specific ways in which perceptual priorities are reflected in compositional practice with particular regard to the tonal system. Given that tonality is the legacy of Renaissance and Medieval practices, it stands to reason that a close look at modal compositional practice can likewise suggest the perceptual priorities of composers and listeners of Renaissance polyphonic music. This essay will briefly examine some aspects of aural perception and the ways …show more content…
I will begin by discussing the perceptual principles most relevant to the topic at hand, after which I will proceed to demonstrate the ways in which composers exploited these principles to accomplish particular goals. However, it is important to make a few precautionary points so that undue conclusions are not drawn. First, it should be remembered that the psycho-acoustical points discussed below are only considered in terms of the effects particular pitch/rhythmic organizations have with regard to perceptual principles; the assumption being that composers exploited these techniques purposefully. As far as rhetorical agendas, text depiction, modal affects, and intertextual allusions are concerned, little can be said or assumed from the following discussion and any analysis along these lines will be similarly limited in scope. Likewise, it is well-known that composers were interested in incorporating symbolic features in their music that may or may not have been intended to be heard but should nonetheless be appreciated. Additionally, it should also be remembered that the Renaissance was a time of exploration and great change in practice. Many of the values held by musicians today were introduced or further developed during …show more content…
It is this perceptual observation and its concomitant prohibition of the overuse of perfect consonances that lends credence to the claim that voices were truly intended to be heard as distinct auditory streams (independent melodic strands) as opposed to harmonic configurations.
Lastly, Huron notes that stream segregation is also undermined by melodic lines that move in positively correlated directions. In other words, parallel motion is less desirable than similar motion, itself being less desirable than oblique or contrary motion, granted the independence of each line is regarded as a primary goal. Since this injunction is highly valued in the style, it is safe to assume that independence between melodic strands, stream segregation, truly was a goal of the compositional
In terms of the technical differences between the art music of early times and that of the modern period (i.e., after 1600) we can identify five specific features that make post-1600 styles in music sound more or less "familiar."
...on music that have continued to thrive in American music. The English Renaissance had made a drastic effect on modern day spiritual, secular, and instrumental music.
In order to fully encapsulate Leonardo’s conquest of the almighty heavens it would only be fitting to have the text set to a full orchestra accompanied by a SATB choir. This is the only combination of instrumentation and vocals that will fully capture the piece’s dramatic story (save a Wagnarian music drama). A full orchestra is a glorious medium that can be used to accommodate the full range of emotions embodied in the poem because of the breadth of orchestral timbre. In parallel with the orchestra, a four-person choir is ideal for the lyrical expression of the poem due to the wide range of notes that can be sung by the soprano, the bass and everyone in between. The parts of the poem sung by the full choir would be done in an imitative polyphony texture utilizing malismas on the repeated line “Leonardo, Leonardo, viene á volare” to accentuate the fact that this line is a “siren-song” sung by “the very air itself.” However, the majority of the text would be sung by the tenor to give the piece a story telling quality, with the rest of the choir chiming in for the Italian parts. This will serve to emphasize the contrast between English and Italian that Sylvestri creates in his poem. It seems appropriate to have the orchestra and choir perform a through-composed setting with a change in music for each st...
The Renaissance can be considered an artistic period between the end of the Middle Age and the start of the Modern Age. The cultural movement touched every part of Europe but its origin and development are in Florence. This period is a synonym, a symbol of “change” in all the aspect of the humankind: it is the celebration of
As a conclusion, Renaissance is an important event throughout the world. It changes world from being in depressions into being into developing lifestyles. This event so impresses me.
From the Early Renaissance to the High Renaissance, there was a movement from vocal music to a combination of vocal and instrumental music (Brown, 1976). There are seven categories of instrumental music: 1) vocal music played by instruments, 2) settings of pre-existing melodies, 3) variation sets, 4) ricercars, fantasias, and canzonas, 5) preludes, preambles, and toccatas for solo instruments, 6) dance music, and 7) songs composed specifically for lute and solo voice (Brown, 1976). Italy dominated the stage for instrumental music at this time, and it was not until the last decades of the sixteenth century that English instrumental music became popular (Brow...
The Renaissance means the rebirth of ancient learning. The renaissance can be divided into two parts Early Renaissance (1420-1500) and High Renaissance (1500-1520). The Renaissance era was one of the most productive time periods in history as far as the advancement of music goes. At first it was rigid, structu...
The Renaissance is often referred to as one of the most influential periods of time throughout the development and course of human life on this planet. During this era, society saw a large awakening in interest in art, philosophy, and music. This lead to mass development and experimentation with new types of music especially. For example, people shifted their focus of creating musical pieces for a church environment and began to branch out and write for both pleasure and praise. Two composers in particular in this age, Josquin des Prez and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, were significantly involved in the transition between making music solely for religious instances and producing it for secular purposes. Their influence on the music produced
This time era was filled with many good things that allow modern life to exist. The Renaissance was a time of many new ideas and many new practices in medicine, entertainment, punishments and many other topics. Without the knowledge that was gained in this era many things that we take for granted now would never of existed. In this essay I will tell you about the many things that occurred during this time period and how people in this time would have lived their daily lives.
The music was so well loved during the renaissance that you can read, play, and sing music your and essential person. Even King Henry VIII was a very musical person since he loved to play and sing music. I found this to be interesting since music effects all of our lives today, I have always wonder if music affected people’s livelihoods during the renaissance? I found this to be true since many composers during this time use different structures, modes, rhythms, and melodies. The most known structure from this era is the paratactic form. The paratactic form is the assembly that contains a series of more or less separate units. The mode was used in the renaissance was the eight-mode system that was also used during the medieval times. The melody that was used during the renaissance was the conjunct motion. The conjunct motion is a melodic concept, which based on completely or mainly by half or whole steps. The rhythm that used during this time period was tactics. Tactus is a progressive measurement of the different beats. All of the composers would use these musical styles to create music. All of these musical styles affected the way older composers would make their music since they were used to make the traditional music instead they had to keep up with the current ways or else
This period can be credited for aiding in the creation of numerous modern genres. During the Renaissance period, a lot of music became secular and mixed a lot of the techniques from sacred hymns, exemplifying the church's loss of control on society as the bourgeoisie rose in power. Therefore, any music that's not associated with the church derives some influence from Renaissance music. A capella groups came to existence for this very reason; plainchant's unaccompanied sound was added to secular music. In addition, any polyphonic song originated, in part, from the Renaissance period, since this was the era when polyphonic texture was
ABSTRACT: Humanity requires for its satisfaction Beauty and Good, that is, love, wisdom, and courage. Put differently, the necessity of order, equilibrium, and harmony. These values ground one of the most elevated planes of the spiritual life: music. Its moral force in the education of the mind, soul, and behavior of the human person has been emphasized by the ancient Greek philosophers. This important message exists as a pattern crossing the centuries. I will try to reveal the unity ¡¥ethics¡¦/ethike - ¡¥music¡¦/melos by using the semiotic organon.
The Renaissance can be identified as a creative time, marking a transition from an agricultural to urban society, in which trade carried a greater importance. New technology and ways of thinking allowed people to better understand their past, and the world they lived in today. Creative minds had a rekindled interest in Rome and Greece. In contrast the medieval scholars, Renaissance thinkers concentrated more on human experience. Along with a new way of thinking, another Renaissance ideal was a spirit of adventure. This new spirit allowed for people to explore new worlds and reconsider old ones.
John Warrack, author of 6 Great Composers, stated, “Any study of a composer, however brief, must have as its only purpose encouragement of the reader to greater enjoyment of the music” (Warrack, p.2). The composers and musicians of the Renaissance period need to be discussed and studied so that listeners, performers, and readers can appreciate and understand the beginnings of music theory and form. The reader can also understand the driving force of the composer, whether sacred or secular, popularity or religious growth. To begin understanding music composition one must begin at the birth, or rebirth of music and the composers who created the great change.
The Renaissance was a time of change. It began in Italy during the 14th century, and spread throughout the North. People all over Europe were affected, for the better and for the worse. Some people finally had a chance to control their own fate. Others, like upper class women, lost their social status. The values and purposes of Renaissance education were to improve the society, increase the economy, and restore the religious beliefs.